On 24 May this year, the State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI) organized a training seminar in the field of intellectual property for co-workers from the Intellectual Property Protection Service of the Customs Service of the Republic of Moldova.

Customs Service representatives were familiarized with the AGEPI public databases. In particular, they were trained in research and documentation in the national and international databases on geographical indications, appellations of origin and industrial designs protected on the territory of the Republic of Moldova. It was also discussed about the transparency of procedures and the fact that the decisions are public.

During the visit to AGEPI, Customs Service representatives and AGEPI specialists spoke on the measures to ensure border protection of the protected geographical indications in the Republic of Moldova, including on the basis of the Republic of Moldova – European Union Association Agreement.

AGEPI and the Customs Service are public authorities that protect intellectual property rights in the Republic of Moldova. AGEPI is responsible for granting intellectual property protection to intellectual property objects, while the Customs Service plays an important role in identifying and detaining at the border the goods susceptible of infringing an intellectual property right. The two institutions signed a Cooperation Agreement in 2010 to ensure the enforcement of rights of the holders in intellectual property objects at the border and to promote a single policy in this field.