Roundtable Workshop on the Collective Management of Copyrights

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), through the EU4IP cooperation project and the State Agency on Intellectual Property of the Republic of Moldova (AGEPI), in coordination with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, organised a Roundtable Workshop on the Collective Management of Copyrights in the Republic of Moldova.

Taking place in Chișinăuin the Republic of Moldova, on 23 and 24 July 2024, this event aimed to facilitate an open and constructive dialogue between the different stakeholders and identify solutions and best practices in the collective management of copyright and related rights. It focused on the establishment, collection, distribution and payment of remuneration to rights holders. It gathered over 40 participants in person and a substantial online audience from various sectors of the cultural and creative industry, as well as national and international authorities.

The workshop featured several pivotal aspects:

• facilitating discussions on best practices in the collective management of copyrights from the EU and its application to Moldovan law;
• analysing the current state of the collective management system in Moldova, identifying challenges and discussing practical solutions to improve the transparency, efficiency and fairness of the system;
• exploring opportunities for cooperation and positive synergies among stakeholders to enhance the collective management system.

Throughout the two-day event, participants engaged in in-depth discussions on various topics under the coordination of European experts Karol Kościński and Laurențiu Oprea. These included EU and international legislation and practice, Moldovan legislation reforms and the role of collective management organisations (CMOs) in promoting cultural diversity and ensuring fair remuneration for rights holders.

Additionally, case studies from EU Member States were presented, highlighting successful management models that could be adapted to the Moldovan context. Discussions covered key issues such as the roles and responsibilities of the different stakeholders in ensuring effective collective management, the setting of remuneration and the challenges in collecting and distributing it.

The event aligns with the priorities of the European Neighbourhood Policy and Moldova’s commitments under the Republic of Moldova-EU Association Agreement, and it is framed under the negotiations for EU accession in the area copyright and related rights. The protection and use of intellectual property rights are fundamental to create a favourable environment for innovation, creativity and free competition, raising the level of investment attractiveness’ for the economic and cultural development of the Republic of Moldova.