The State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI) hosted, on March 24, this year, in Chisinau, the Bilateral Cooperation Meeting between AGEPI and the European Patent Office (EPO), organized in the context of the Republic of Moldova’s accession to the European Patent Convention (EPC).
The visit aimed to strengthen institutional relations and advance strategic dialogue in the field of intellectual property protection, by aligning AGEPI’s priorities with European standards and practices promoted by the EPO.
The meeting agenda began with an introductory session, during which AGEPI’s institutional priorities, recent developments in the field of intellectual property, as well as progress made in the EPC accession process were presented.
The discussions focused on the bilateral cooperation framework developed by the European Patent Office with the Member States, the approach being structured on four pillars of strategic cooperation with national offices.
First, the programmes for access to knowledge and promotion of the innovation ecosystem were addressed, with an emphasis on public awareness initiatives, strengthening cooperation with the university environment and developing technology transfer structures, as well as using the support tools offered by the European Patent Office, including through the PATLIB network and the Observatory on Patents and Technology.
Next, the discussions focused on the convergence of practices within the European Patent Network (EPN), highlighting joint efforts to harmonise procedures, the exchange of best practices between national offices and the integration of innovative solutions, including artificial intelligence-based technologies, in examination and data management processes.
Another central topic was cooperation in the field of information technology, with an emphasis on the development and interoperability of digital systems, the implementation of modern search tools, such as ANSERA, and the strengthening of information security through advanced technological solutions.
Last but not least, the strengthening of institutional capacities was addressed, presenting the support mechanisms offered by the EPO for the development of the competences of national offices, including through programs dedicated to candidate states, intended to facilitate efficient integration into the European patent system.
The meeting ended with the formulation of conclusions and the establishment of directions of action for the coming period, the parties reconfirming the joint commitment to deepening cooperation and supporting the process of the Republic of Moldova’s integration into the European patent system.
This visit reflects an essential stage in the path of accession to the EPC and strengthens the role of AGEPI as an active partner within the European intellectual property network.
