Adoption of EUIPN common practices in Moldova: capacity building on trade mark examination and proceedings (opposition and cancellation) and on implementation of EU Directive

Target Country: Republic of Moldova
IPR area: Trade marks

The European Union Intellectual Property Network (EUIPN) brings together the National IP offices and User Associations to cooperate and harmonise practices and standards. Jointly, they identify areas of trade mark and design practice where convergence would be most beneficial for network stakeholders. They work to agree on implementing common principles based on relevant Court decisions and on disseminating the best practices of each of the IP offices. In doing so, they seek to create a European IP system that is more efficient, predictable and accessible to its stakeholders.

This activity aims to enhance the quality, consistency and transparency of the work undertaken by the State Agency on Intellectual Property of the Republic of Moldova (AGEPI) on the substantive examination of trade marks. A key aspect is for AGEPI to align its trade mark practices, as started through previous bilateral cooperation, creating a practical training tool for trade mark examiners and the Office’s users. The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) guidelines are now available in Romanian for Moldovan examiners as a main reference document.

AGEPI will thus be presented with the latest Common Practices (CPs) from the EUIPN not yet adopted in their practice and be proposed a training programme based on their interests and specific training needs. Indeed, despite being under a common framework and the same regulations, EU IP offices and those abroad do not always apply the same practices during the registration life cycle of a trade mark. Achieving approximation of practices between IP offices has become a top priority for IP User Associations, both within the EU and beyond European borders. Since 2011, the Convergence Programmes have joined the EUIPO and User Associations to reach common ground and practices. Implementing these CPs increases legal certainty, consistency and predictability in the decision-making process and helps to achieve effective and efficient access to the protection offered by the trade mark registration systems.