Moldova Advances Toward European Patent Integration with Legislative Reform
22 Jul 2025
EURASIA
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The Republic of Moldova has taken a major step toward aligning its intellectual property system with European standards, as Parliament approved, in its second reading, a draft law amending Law No. 50/2008 on the Protection of Inventions. This legislative update forms part of Moldova’s broader strategy to accede to the Convention on the Grant of European Patents (EPC), signed in Munich in 1973.
Central to the reform are the introduction of supplementary protection certificates and compulsory licensing mechanisms for pharmaceutical exports to countries facing public health crises — key tools in adapting to global IP challenges.
By enabling the extension of European patent rights into Moldova, the amendments will significantly ease access for local inventors to the European patent system and its associated protections. This move is expected to enhance the legal certainty of patent holders, curb instances of rights infringement, and improve the overall enforcement environment for intellectual property in the country.
Beyond legal harmonization, the reform addresses technical shortcomings in current procedures. It aims to streamline the examination of patent applications, correct existing inconsistencies, and adapt the national system to modern standards, making it more efficient and transparent.
Crucially, the legislation supports Moldova’s innovation-driven economic strategy. By strengthening IP protection and aligning it with European frameworks, the country seeks to boost research and development, particularly in the pharmaceutical and phytosanitary sectors.
