The Experts of the EU Project "Support to Enforcement of the Intellectual Property Rights” in the Republic of Moldova, in partnership with the State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI), organized a series of seminars, between 2-5 October 2018, on the enforcement of intellectual property rights (IPR) for the Agency for Consumer Protection and Market Surveillance (APCSP).

At the opening ceremony, the General Director of APCSP, Mr. Iurie Eremia, stated that the training of APCSP specialists in the field of intellectual property (IP) is very important because it will improve the competences in IPR infringements investigations.

During the seminars, the participants discussed topics related to the basic principles of IP, national and international regulations, IPR enforcement best practice, the role of right holders and how AGEPI can assist the APCSP. An IT communication system that will be developed by the Project to facilitate information exchange between the IPR enforcement institutions in the Republic of Moldova (e-IPR system) and other support tools were also highlighted.

The EU Project Experts, Mr. Gavin Terry and Mr. Alan Cronin spoke about intellectual property crimes and the risks associated with the use of counterfeit products. Apart from the economic harm to companies, such as unfair competition with entrepreneurs involved in the manufacture, distribution and sale of original goods, non-payment of taxes to the budget, the experts have highlighted the effects on the safety and health of consumers.

Ms. Olesea Plotnic, EU Project expert, had explained what is abusive trade practices related to IPR, what sanctions risks entrepreneurs and how consumers can protect their self of such abuses. According to the expert, a seller of counterfeit or pirated goods can hide or misrepresent important product information, apply manipulative or hidden advertising techniques, special offers, or pyramid sales schemes - these are ways to deceive consumers.

Ms. Rodica Popescu had presented the tools provided by AGEPI to institutions with functions in IPR protection, highlighting the usefulness of AGEPI IPR Observatory. Thus, the purpose of this platform is to support the exchange of data between authorities responsible for ensuring the enforcement of intellectual property rights, as well as the reports, analytical and statistical studies in the field, which would allow effective monitoring of the system of enforcement of intellectual property rights in the Republic of Moldova.

Also, two days were devoted to practical exercises. Specialists went to markets and shops to analyse sales of goods suspected of being counterfeit and assessing the level of IPR violations.

The objective of the seminars was to enhance the capacity of the ACPSP to enforce IPR, following the recent amendment to the Contravention Code, which gives the ACPSP power to investigate trademark and geographical indication infringements. The trainers were attended by 50 specialists from APCSP, AGEPI and representatives from Moldovan high education institutions. At the end of seminars, all the participants received diplomas.

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 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.