The Moldovan market still has to grow in regard to the protection of the IP rights. The local government is trying to follow the practice of other EU countries and to offer a safe place for those in the IP field (although there is still a lot to be done).
One of the main legal acts that regulate some IP matters is the Law no.139/2010 (on copyright and connected rights). Art.4(1)(g) of this law is stating that AGEPI (State Agency on Intellectual Property of the Republic of Moldova) is the authority that receives registration requests for copyright and connected right(s) on works (creations). The same principle is reflected in art.9(8) of the above-mentioned law.
On 17 February 2012, the Moldovan Government enacted the Decision no.89/2012 that is meant to put into practice art.4(1)(g) and art.9(8) of the Law no.139/2010. Thus, the Decision no.89/2012 is setting the necessary requirements, the procedure for submitting a registration request to AGEPI, and the standards for the documents that are to be submitted together with the registration request.
The model of the registration request is given by AGEPI and includes inter-alia this information:
(a) date of the registration request and its registration number;
(b) information about the author (coauthor);
(c) information about the work (creation);
(d) signature of the person who applies for registration;
The registration request could be submitted to AGEPI in person, by mail or email. AGEPI requires a fee for accepting the registration request. Provided that the requested documents meet all the necessary requirements, AGEPI will register the copyright or related right(s) in the State Register no later than in 30 days since the registration request has been submitted.