- The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the State Agency on Intellectual Property of the Republic of Moldova (AGEPI), in close coordination with the European Commission (DG NEAR) has organised a Round Table Workshop on the Collective Management of Copyrights in the Republic of Moldova.
- This event, which took place in Chișinău on 23-24 July 2024, aimed at facilitating an open and constructive dialogue between the different stakeholders and identify solutions and best practices in the collective management of copyright and related rights, focusing on the establishment, collection, distribution and payment of remuneration to rightsholders. It gathered over 40 participants in physical format and a substantial online audience from various sectors of the cultural and creative industry, as well as national and international authorities.
- The workshop is in line with the implementation of the European Commission's recommendation in the 2023 Enlargement Package, namely: Improving collective rights management to ensure adequate payment of royalties.
- Through initiatives like the EU4IP, the European Union underlines the protection and use of intellectual property as a strategic tool for enhancing innovation, creativity and economic growth in the Republic of Moldova while also paving the way for the country’s future accession to the European Union.
The workshop featured several pivotal aspects:
- Facilitating discussions on best practices in 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 topics such as 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 rightsholders under the coordination of European experts Karol Kościński and Laurențiu Oprea. 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 first day of the conference was marked by detailed presentations on international and national legislation and practices. "It is essential to understand and transpose European best practices in the collective management of copyright and related rights in order to protect and encourage creativity and innovation," emphasized Eugeniu Rusu, Director General of AGEPI, at the event.
"This event is an opportunity to bring all stakeholders to the same table in order to find efficient and fair solutions in the collective management of copyright," said Aurica Butnari, economic development program manager at the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova.
The second day featured discussions on the various types of rights that are managed exclusively through a collective management organization (CMO), including cable retransmission, communication to the public and public lending. The particularities of each type of right were analysed in detail and participants made recommendations to improve the current system. "Experiences and management models from EU Member States provide a valuable guide for the implementation of similar practices in the Republic of Moldova," explained Karol Kościński, a Polish copyright and media expert.
Romanian copyright expert Laurențiu Oprea emphasized the importance of international collaboration: "Collaboration and exchange of best practices are important to develop an efficient and transparent system of collective management of copyright in Moldova."
The conference concluded with conclusions and recommendations for the next steps, emphasizing the need for continued collaboration between all stakeholders to strengthen an effective legislative and practical framework in the field of copyright and related rights in the Republic of Moldova.
“We are committed to enhance the cooperation on the collective management of copyrights and are therefore very grateful for the interest showed by stakeholders and the fruitful exchanges over the last two days. With the support of the EU IP Network (EUIPN), we will continue sharing European best practices with our partners in the Republic of Moldova”, mentioned Ibon Ormazabal, Project Leader of the EU4IP project.
The event aligns with the priorities of the European Neighbourhood Policy and Moldova’s commitments under the EU-Republic of Moldova 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, creativeness and free competition, raising the level of investment attractiveness’ for the economic and cultural development of the Republic of Moldova.
This workshop is part of the Strengthening Intellectual Property Rights in Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine (EU4IP) action, an international cooperation project funded by the European Union. The EU4IP project is implemented by the EUIPO for a duration of 48 months, starting from 1 January 2024, with a total budget of EUR 4 million provided by the European Union, including the EUIPO.
ABOUT THE EUIPO
The EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) is one of the largest decentralised agencies of the European Union, based in Alicante, Spain. In 2024, it was ranked as the most innovative IP office in the world for the fifth time. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2024, the EUIPO manages the registration of EU trade marks since 1994 and designs since 2003, both of which are intellectual property rights that cover the 27 Member States of the EU. The agency added another IP right, craft and industrial geographical indications, to its portfolio in 2023. The EUIPO also carries out cooperation activities at EU and international level to create a level playing field in the world of IP and hosts the European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights.
Media contact – EU4IP Communication Service
Tel.: +34 965 139 100
ABOUT AGEPI
AGEPI is the central administrative authority in the field of legal protection of intellectual property relating to industrial property rights, copyright and related rights. AGEPI's mission is to promote and implement policies in the field of intellectual property, making the intellectual property system more efficient in order to promote technological progress, stimulate creativity and contribute to the economic, social and cultural development of the Republic of Moldova. AGEPI grant legal protection on the territory of the Republic of Moldova to inventions, plant varieties, trademarks, industrial designs, geographical indications, appellations of origin, traditional specialties guaranteed, copyright and related rights. In July 2011, AGEPI established an Observatory on Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) to ensure the exchange of information between the authorities responsible for monitoring the enforcement of intellectual property rights. The Republic of Moldova has a modern IP legal system in line with international and European standards.
Media contact - AGEPI Communication Service
Tel.: + 373 693 60 819
