The EUIPO supports strengthening collective management and library cooperation in the Republic of Moldova
The event, ‘Libraries, Copyright and Collective Management in Moldova: building a transparent and balanced system in line with the EU acquis communautaire’, was held on 23–24 April 2026 in Chișinău, in cooperation with the State Agency on Intellectual Property of the Republic of Moldova (AGEPI), in the context of the EU-funded EU4IP project. The activity was organised to celebrate World Book and Copyright Day, focusing on the collective management of copyright and related rights.
The workshop contributed to ongoing efforts to reinforce the collective management system for copyright and related rights in the Republic of Moldova. It provided a structured platform for dialogue among public authorities, collective management organisations, libraries and copyright experts on how to ensure transparent governance, fair remuneration of rights holders and balanced access to cultural content, in line with EU standards.
The discussions also included an overview of Public Lending Right (PLR). PLR refers to the right of authors and other rights holders to receive remuneration for the public lending of their works by libraries. While PLR is not required under international copyright treaties, in the European Union, it forms part of the legal framework governing rental and lending rights. Different countries apply varying models regarding scope, eligibility criteria, funding mechanisms and administration.
Under the EU accession process, the Republic of Moldova has committed to aligning its copyright legislation with EU standards. Recent amendments to the Law on Copyright and Related Rights strengthen the protection of authors and performers and introduce governance improvements in the collective management system.
Through this technical assistance, the EUIPO facilitated the exchange of EU and international best practices and reinforced cooperation between Moldovan and EU stakeholders. As host of pan-European copyright databases and portals, including Agorateka, the Orphan Works Database and the Out-of-Commerce Works Portal, the EUIPO contributes practical expertise to support transparent and balanced copyright systems.
By supporting dialogue and capacity building in this area, the EUIPO continues to assist the Republic of Moldova in developing a predictable, transparent and EU-aligned intellectual property framework, thus contributing to a stronger cultural and creative sector and a business environment more closely aligned with EU standards. For more information about the EUIPO Copyright Knowledge centre launched in December 2025, see: https://www.euipo.europa.eu/en/copyright-knowledge-centre.