The State Agency on Intellectual Property of the Republic of Moldova (AGEPI) has signed a new Work Plan on Bilateral Co-operation with the European Patent Organization (EPO) for the next two years. Given the epidemiological situation generated by the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), the document was agreed and signed by both parties by correspondence.

With the signing of the Work Plan, AGEPI and the EPO undertook to consolidate and multiply the results obtained. The document addresses both the strategic perspectives of bilateral co-operation between the Republic of Moldova and the European Patent Organization, as well as some technical aspects of ensuring the protection of inventions by patent, including the implementation in our country of the European patent validation system.

At the same time, the plan includes a series of concrete actions aimed at developing the institutional capacities of AGEPI, including the access of specialists to professional training programs in the field of patent administration and examination, organized by the EPO Academy, as well as supporting innovation promotion activities.

Adjustment to European patent standards remains a priority of bilateral co-operation between AGEPI and the EPO in the next biennium. Although Moldova does not have the status of a member of the European Patent Office, however, with the entry into force, on November 1, 2015, of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Moldova and the European Patent Organization, our country has complied with the rigors of the European Patent Convention (EPC), which made possible their protection on the territory of the Republic of Moldova through the European Patent Office and the preparation for membership of this organization.

\The Republic of Moldova has been cooperating with the European Patent Organization for more than 25 years. The EPO has supported and continues to support Moldova’s efforts to harmonize the national patent system with the European one, providing technical and legal assistance to consolidate AGEPI capacities to implement the validation system in the Republic of Moldova and prepare for the country’s accession to the European Patent Convention (EPC).

It should be mentioned that our country has initiated the steps for the accession of the Republic of Moldova to the EPO as a full member, which is an additional step towards the integration of our country in the European Union.

The action plan can be consulted below: