Experts of the EU Project ”Support to Enforcement of the Intellectual Property Rights” in the Republic of Moldova together with AGEPI specialists have moderated, on October 5 th, a workshop for professionals from film production and audiovisual industry, organized in the frame of RAVAC International Film Festival.

Titled "Intellectual Property in the Audiovisual Field", the workshop brought together producers, scriptwriters and was opened by AGEPI Deputy Director, Mr. Andrei Popa and EU Project Team Leader, Mr. Maximilian Foedinger.

Mr. Andrei Popa highlighted the role of intellectual property as a fundamental tool in creating an environment conducive to innovation and creativity. "We are currently witnessing a revival of national cinema. In order to protect and promote Moldovan movies abroad and at home, it is vital that we can use all the levers in the creative industry", noted AGEPI Deputy General Director.

Mr. Maximilian Foedinger spoke about the EU Project support to beneficiary and partner institutions in achieving the objectives of strengthening IPR enforcement in the Republic of Moldova in the context of DCFTA implementation, on copyright and related rights components, trademarks, geographical indications, industrial designs, patents et all.

The expert has highlighted the importance of creative industries for the development of culture as well as the economy, as the share of business in this area in the GDP of European countries is increasing. Moreover, creative industries generate jobs for artists. "Respecting and protecting the rights to creation is important for artists, because they earn of their work and are motivated to create farther.  The artists make our lives more beautiful, strengthen people's relationships", said Mr. Maximilian Foedinger.

AGEPI specialists spoke about copyright and related rights in the creative industry and the national collective rights management system, and the EU Project expert, Laurenţiu Oprea, made a presentation of European legal regulations on film and audiovisual producers rights.

The EU Project ”Support to Enforcement of the Intellectual Property Rights” in the Republic of Moldova is funded by the European Union and implemented by a Consortium of Archidata LLC (Italy), European Profiles S.C. (Greece) and Business and Strategies in Europe (Belgium). The project has a duration of two years and ends in November 2018.