Role of the Intellectual Property Unit

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The Intellectual Property Unit is responsible for the development of intellectual property policy, the preparation of legislation and the provision of an intellectual property regime which reflects the international law environment and best practice.

The Unit also acts as a liaison section between the Department and the Patents Office on policy and legislative matters.

The Patents Office (Address: Government Buildings, Hebron Road, Kilkenny; Telephone: 056 7720111) is responsible for the granting of patents; the registration of industrial designs and trade marks; the provision of information on patents, designs and trade marks; and has certain limited functions under the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000 in relation to Copyright disputes.