The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the State Agency on Intellectual Property of the Republic of Moldova (AGEPI), in the context of the EU-funded EU4IP project, held a two-day workshop on the current Intellectual Property (IP) enforcement legal framework and its alignment with the EU acquis and draft Action Plan for IP enforcement in the Republic of Moldova.
This event, held in Chișinău on 2 and 3 April 2025, brought together various stakeholders involved in intellectual property protection and enforcement in Moldova. These included representatives from the Customs Service, the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the State Inspectorate for Supervision of Non-Food Products and Consumer Protection, the Agency for Courts Administration, and the Competition Council, among others.
The workshop also saw participation from the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Moldova, the EUIPO, national experts, and experts from EU Member States as well as IP rights holders and representatives of collective management organisations, fostering discussions on best practices in IP enforcement and inter-agency cooperation to combat counterfeiting and piracy.
Ms Julda Kielyte, Team Leader for Competitive and Inclusive Growth at the Delegation of European Union to the Republic of Moldova emphasized that “Moldova has continued to progress on its EU accession path and stepped up its commitments towards EU integration. Alignment with the EU policy requires strengthened competitiveness, creating a business-friendly environment that stimulates small and medium-sized enterprise and structural change in the economic model. Protection and effective enforcement of the Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) will be therefore essential. Alignment with the EU rules on Intellectual Property is also key part of the EU accession process. IPR is among the first chapters to be opened in the accession talks. Respect for the IPRs is crucial for countries that wish to create favourable economic and legal environment for innovation, investment, creative industries and free competition”.
Eugeniu Rusu, Director General of AGEPI, highlighted the importance of strengthening Moldova’s IP enforcement system in line with EU standards: "It is essential to strengthen Moldova’s intellectual property enforcement system in line with EU standards. Robust IP protection is crucial not only for encouraging innovation and attracting investment but also for aligning Moldova with the European Union’s legal framework. A well-developed IP enforcement system will contribute to creating a more competitive business environment, safeguard the rights of creators, and support our goal of EU integration. It is important that public institutions, the private sector, and civil society collaborate to ensure the effective protection and enforcement of IP rights across all sectors."
João Negrão, Executive Director of the EUIPO, shared the importance of reinforcing IP enforcement frameworks in Moldova and other EU candidate countries as part of the EUIPO’s broader strategic vision: "Strengthening IP enforcement is essential for fostering innovation, ensuring fair competition, and creating a secure business environment. The EUIPO, in line with its Strategic Plan 2030, remains committed to supporting Moldova and other EU candidate countries in aligning their IP systems with EU standards. Through initiatives like EU4IP, we work hand in hand with national authorities and the European Commission to enhance enforcement mechanisms, combat counterfeiting and piracy, and pave the way for a more robust and predictable IP framework that benefits businesses, creators, and consumers alike."
Over the course of the two days, experts and participants engaged in a constructive dialogue on Moldova's intellectual property enforcement system and its alignment with EU standards. The participants emphasised the need for legal amendments to improve enforcement mechanisms, especially in the storage and destruction of counterfeit goods.
The workshop is in line with implementing the European Commission’s recommendation in the 2024 Enlargement Package, namely, continuing drafting legislation to improve the enforcement of intellectual property rights. Participants shared European best practices in border, market, criminal, civil and online IP enforcement and engaged in an interactive exercise to define priorities for the National IP Enforcement Action Plan.
Through initiatives like the EU4IP, the EUIPO and Moldovan stakeholders join forces to support the alignment of Moldova’s IP enforcement system with EU standards and to foster IP alliances among enforcement agencies, legislators and IP offices, ultimately supporting the country’s future accession to the European Union.
ABOUT THE EUIPO
The EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) is one of the largest decentralised agencies of the European Union, based in Alicante, Spain. The EUIPO manages the registration of EU trade marks since 1994 and designs since 2003, both of which are intellectual property rights that cover the 27 Member States of the EU. In 2023, the agency expanded its portfolio to include another IP right, craft and industrial geographical indications, with applications open as of December 2025. The EUIPO also carries out cooperation activities at EU and international level to create a level playing field in the world of IP and hosts the European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights. In 2024 it was ranked as the world’s most innovative IP office for the fifth time.
Media contact – EU4IP Communication Service
Tel.: +34 965 139 100
ABOUT THE AGEPI
The State Agency on Intellectual Property of the Republic of Moldova (AGEPI) is the central administrative authority in the field of legal protection of intellectual property relating to industrial property rights, copyright and related rights. The AGEPI's mission is to promote and implement policies in the field of intellectual property, making the intellectual property system more efficient in order to promote technological progress, stimulate creativity and contribute to the economic, social and cultural development of the Republic of Moldova. The AGEPI grants legal protection in the territory of the Republic of Moldova to inventions, plant varieties, trade marks, industrial designs, geographical indications, appellations of origin, traditional specialties guaranteed, copyright and related rights. In July 2011, the AGEPI established an Observatory on Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) to ensure the exchange of information between the authorities responsible for monitoring the enforcement of intellectual property rights. Furthermore, the Republic of Moldova has a modern IP legal system in line with international and European standards.
Media contact - AGEPI Communication Service
Tel.: + 373 693 60 819
