In order to develop the international system of protection of geographical indications (GIs) and appellations of origin (AO), in the period 23-27 June 2014, at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) (Switzerland, Geneva) was held the session of the Working Group on the Development of the Lisbon System.

The event was attended by over 65 representatives from:

• 11 Member States (Algeria, Czech Republic, France, Georgia, Hungary, Iran (Islamic Republic), Italy, Mexico, Peru, Republic of Moldova, Portugal) (out of 28 states http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/treaties/en/documents/pdf/lisbon.pdf);
• 22 countries as observers (Argentina, Australia, Bhoutan, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Fiji, Germany, Greece, Iraq, Kenya, Nepal, Paraguay, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Spain, Turkey, Switzerland, Ukraine, United States of America, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela);
• 3 international intergovernmental organizations (OAPI, OIC, EU);
• 8 international nongovernmental organizations (ABPI, ECTA, MARQUES, CEIPI, CCFN, INTA, KEI).

Republic of Moldova was represented by Mr. Simion Levitchi, Director of Trademarks and Industrial Designs Department, State Agency on Intellectual Property of the Republic of Moldova (AGEPI).

The session was opened by Mr. Francis Gurry, Director General of WIPO, who reiterated the importance of geographical indications and appellations of origin for regional development and the countries as a whole. The Director General of WIPO referred to the need to develop the current system of protection of appellations of origin by including the provisions and to the protection of geographical indications.

At the same time, the chairman of the session, Mr. Mihaly Ficsor, Vice President of the Hungarian IP Office, noted that the number of participants in the meetings of the Working Group is increasing, it indicates the increasing interest in the protection of geographical indications and appellations of origin.

Currently, members of the Group are working on developing the following documents:

•  Draft Revised Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications;
•  Draft Regulations under the Draft Revised Lisbon Agreement, such as at the 10th session of the Working Group (October 2014) to be possible to finalize the documents to be approved by the Diplomatic Conference, planned for 2015.

Drafting of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications and Regulations on the Draft Revised Lisbon Agreement aims at: ensuring the protection of geographical indications and appellations of origin under a single Agreement; providing the possibility of accession of new members, including intergovernmental organizations; ensuring the protection of geographical indications and appellations of origin in several states.

As the competent authority of the Republic of Moldova, within the Special Union of Member Countries of the Lisbon Agreement of 31 October 1958 for the Protection of Appellations of Origin and their International Registration, AGEPI receives from the International Bureau of WIPO, notifications on international registration of appellations of origin in order to give protection in the Republic of Moldova. At the end of 2013, 800 appellations of origin were protected under the Lisbon Agreement. The appellation of origin ROMANESTI (for red wines) of the Republic of Moldova is protected under the Lisbon Agreement.

At present, under the Lisbon Agreement is ensured the registration of appellations of origin in accordance with the international procedure (http://www.wipo.int/lisbon/en/).

Detailed information can be accessed at:

http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/details.jsp?meeting_id=32429