On September 30, 2015, the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) published a list of symbols whose protection was sought under the Paris Convention. These also include the national symbols “Ecological Agriculture – Republic of Moldova”, “Protected Geographical Indication – Republic of Moldova” (PGI), “Protected Appellation of Origin – Republic of Moldova” (PAO) and “Traditional Specialty Guaranteed – Republic of Moldova” (TSG ). These symbols have been sent to WIPO by the State Agency on Intellectual Property.

Within 12 months from the date of publication, the Member States of the Paris Convention and the World Trade Organization may submit objections to the grant of the submitted signs.

Paris Convention provides protection to official signs or of States against their unauthorized registration or to any imitation from a heraldic point of view as trademarks.

National symbols for marking products can be used free of charge only by natural or legal persons holding the right of use. Signs can be applied on products, labels or packaging, they can also be used in advertising or in accompanying documents.

Trademark “Ecological Agriculture – Republic of Moldova” is managed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry. It can only be applied on agro-food products which comply with the rules of ecological production.

It should be noted that national symbols PGI, PAO and TSG were selected by a National Commission as a result of conduct of a Competition for the creation of symbols associated with protected geographical indications, protected appellations of origin and traditional specialties guaranteed.

Geographical indications, appellations of origin and traditional specialties guaranteed are objects of intellectual property. They have an important political and economic role and are valuable marketing tools for all countries of the world, including for the Republic of Moldova.