Moldova's state agency for intellectual property to benefit from system of rights' enforcement

Chisinau, 06 November /MOLDPRES/ – The results of EU technical assistance project: The support to ensure respect for intellectual property rights in Moldova were presented today at a closing event organised by the State Agency for Intellectual Property (AGEPI).

At the beginning of the event, General Director of AGIPI, Lilia Bolocan, mentioned that this project has helped to increase the interaction of intellectual property protection bodies, strengthen business environment, discipline economic agents and consumers, and improve the image of investment in Moldova. "The project also contributed to the fulfillment of commitments undertaken by Moldova following the signing of the EU Association Agreement and supported the efforts of AGEPI and other entities in the country to build a respectable intellectual property culture, a society with a high level of culture in the given field, which understands and respects intellectual creation, is moving towards stability, sustainable economic development and social and cultural progress", specified Lilia Bolocan.

According to the cited source, an E – learning platform was developed within project, which aims to strengthen the educational system in the field of intellectual property. The project has also contributed to the review of university curriculum and development of high school lesson models, instructional and educational materials, which will then be integrated into the E – learning platform.

"An IT system in the form of a platform for communication and data exchange between institutions with responsibilities in the field of intellectual property rights enforcement was created within the project. The integration of this system will take place on the basis of a government decision that will regulate the cooperation between the public institutions involved in this process. Currently, the platform is hosted by AGEPI and can be improved and developed with other modules," said Lilia Bolocan.

At his turn, Grigore Caer, head of department at the Consumer Protection and Market Surveillance Agency, said that the project was developed to guide consumers how to protect themselves against counterfeit products and buy only original and quality goods of brand owners.

The EU Technical Assistance Project: The support to ensure respect for intellectual property rights in Moldova has lasted two years and had a budget of €1.8 million. The project beneficiary was AGEPI, with co – beneficiary partners the ministries of Justice, Domestic Affairs, General Prosecutor's Office, Customs Service, Consumer Protection Agency and Market Surveillance.

(Reporter N. Roibu, editor M. Jantovan)