Bandar Seri Begawan - The Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) and the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) has jointly announced that His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has consented to the transfer of the 'Registry of Industrial Designs' (RoID) to the Patent Registry Office (PRO) of the BEDB with effect from October 1.

The move is in line with the joint effort between the BEDB and AGC in the ongoing restructuring of the Intellectual Property (IP) administrative system in the country. The transfer of the Registry of Industrial Designs to the PRO is a significant move in the expansion of the services of the PRO, which will now accept applications for the registration of industrial designs in addition to patents.

With effect from October 1, all applications for the registration of Industrial Designs must be lodged at the Registry of Industrial Designs located at the Patent Registry Office (PRO), Knowledge Hub, Block B26, Simpang 32-37, Anggerek Desa, Bandar Seri Begawan BB3713, Negara Brunei Darussalam.

In her address earlier this year at the opening of the Legal Year, Datin Seri Paduka Hjh Hayati binti Pehin Orang Kaya Shahbandar Dato Seri Paduka Hj Mohd Salleh, the Attorney General highlighted that 2012 will see the 'Devolution of the Registry' which will occur in stages in line with the AGC's Strategic Plan. This 'devolution' is necessary for the good of the country and consistent with the practice in other countries.

Dato Paduka Awg Hj Ali bin Hj Apong, Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister's Office-cum-Chairman of the BEDB, remarked that it is vital that Brunei pays significant attention to the adoption of appropriate mechanisms that can protect-intellectual property (IP) rights.

With full support from the AGC, BEDB will pave way for the set up of a National Intellectual Property Office (IPO) which will be responsible for the registration of patents, industrial designs, plant variety protection and trademarks.

In addition, the Deputy Minister also stressed that awareness of IP is especially important not just for foreign investors but also for local SMEs. In this regard, the BEDB aims to raise awareness on IP by educating and providing adequate information to all economic sectors in Brunei Darussalam.

In line with BEDB's mission to grow and diversify Brunei Darussalam's economy by attracting investments and strengthening local businesses enabled through research and innovation, the BEDB in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) recently organised a National Seminar on Industrial Designs and the Hague System for International Registration on September 18 to raise awareness on the benefits and protection of industrial designs and to use them to enhance business growth and competitiveness.

The main features and advantages of the Hague System for International Registration of Industrial Designs were also highlighted.

In its continuing effort to raise awareness on intellectual property rights protection, the Patent Registry Office (PRO) of the BEDB will be conducting a workshop on 'How to File an Industrial Design?' at the Knowledge Hub on October 31.

For registration and enquiries on the workshop contact the Patent Registry Office (PRO) at telephone numbers 2380965/2380966 or email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .