Fact-finding mission to Moldova

From 20-23 February, a delegation of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) travelled to Chisinau, Moldova, to explore the current status of the intellectual property (IP) system in the Republic of Moldova. While there, it held technical discussions to identify the priorities and needs of the interested parties in preparation for the first work plan of the EU4IP project.

During the visit, the delegation had meetings and discussions with representatives of the Moldovan State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI), the EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova, as well as with other institutions involved in IP, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, the Ministry of Education and Research, the Customs Service, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Organization for Entrepreneurship Development, and the National Office of Vine and Wine.

In addition, the EUIPO representatives had an exchange of information and perspectives with the members of the Observatory on Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (Competition Council, Courts Administration Agency, State Inspectorate for Supervision of Non-Food Products and Consumer Protection, Customs Service, Prosecutor General’s Office, etc.), identifying the main challenges faced by each institution in relation to the enforcement of IP rights in the Republic of Moldova and, at the same time, establishing possible support measures in overcoming these.

Finally, a meeting with Collective Management Organisations also took place to exchange information about the new copyright law and the new implementation practices that could be used by the parties to strengthen the collective right management system in Moldova.