The purpose of CIPC

The CIPC (Companies and Intellectual Property Right) is responsible for the following functions:

• Registration of Companies, Co-operatives and Intellectual Property Rights (trademarks, patents, designs and copyright) and maintenance of it;
• To disclose Information on its business registers;
• Monitor compliance with, and contraventions of financial reporting standards, and make recommendations thereto to Financial Reporting Standards Council (FRSC);
• To promote education and awareness of Company and Intellectual Property Law;
• To promote compliance with relevant legislation;
• Report, research and advise the Minister on matters of national policy relating to company and intellectual property law;
• Efficiently and effectively enforce relevant legislation;
• Licensing of Business rescue practitioners.

When the 2008 Companies Act came into effect on 1 May 2011, the CIPC was created from the merger of Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office (CIPRO) and the Office of Company and Intellectual Property Enforcement (OCIPE).