On 16 April this year, in the conference hall of AGEPI was held the meeting of the Agency’s specialists, with the participation of the representatives of the Ministry of Justice and State Registration Chamber, on legal forms of establishment and registration of the groups of producers in the context of application of the provisions of Law No. 66 of 27.03.2008 on the Protection of Geographical Indications (GIs), Appellations of Origin (AO) and Traditional Specialties Guaranteed (TSG) (hereinafter - Law 66/2008).

The meeting was organized with the view of identifying issues that may arise in the process of association and establishment of the groups of producers, of the ways to improve the procedures for implementing the Law 66/2008 and development of the national system of GIs, AO and TSG.

First, Mr. Simon Levitchi, Director of the Trademarks and Industrial Designs Department of AGEPI made a presentation on the provisions of Law 66/2008, emphasizing the issues concerning the requirements for the group that may apply for registration of a GI, AO or TSG.

Mr. Iurie Gustiuc, specialist in the Non-Commercial Organizations Directorate, Ministry of Justice, made an explanation on the modalities for registration of public associations and other non-commercial organizations, as well as the legal provisions on their activities.

In the same vein, Mrs. Marina Borta, specialist in the Organization and External Control Division of the State Registration Chamber, presented the ways of registration of the law-enforcement subjects by the institution they represent.

During the discussions it was mentioned that current forms stipulated by the legislation in force does not fully cover the possible varieties of organization and formation of the groups of producers which wish to apply for the protection of a GI, AO or TSG. Thus, the solutions are to be identified that would allow the legal establishment of these groups without imposing in this sense complex and expensive procedures for establishment and maintenance of law-enforcement subjects, such as unions of manufacturers, associations, etc., given that the legislation in the field does not expressly impose their establishment.