CWS.ATR.ID.2012.MD

Annual Technical Report 2012 on Industrial Design Information Activities submitted by Republic of Moldova (CWS/ATR/ID/2012/MD)

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The expression "industrial designs" covers industrial designs and models. Offices which issue design patents should report their design patent information activities in this series of Annual Technical Reports.

I. Evolution of registration activities

In 2012, 300 applications for the registration of 2058 industrial designs were filed with the Agency. Of these, under the national procedure were filed 119 applications (40%), including 1319 industrial designs (64%), and under the Hague Agreement procedure  181 applications (60%) with 739 industrial designs (36%). If compared to 2011, the number of filed applications increased by 20 (7%) and that of industrial designs embedded in these applications increased by 268 (15%). It should be noted that the number of applications and industrial designs filed under the national procedure increased by 33 (38%) and, respectively, 362 (38%) and the number of applications filed under the Hague Agreement procedure decreased by 13 (7.2%) and, respectively, 94 (12.7%).
During the period under review, the national applicants have filed 101 applications (33.7 percent of the total number), with 1293 industrial designs (62.8%) covered therein, being attested a increase by 26.3 % in the number of applications and, concomitantly, an increase by 38.1 % in the number of industrial designs, as compared with the previous year. Most applications  100 (99%) and industrial designs  1288 (99.6%) were filed by applicants from the Republic of Moldova under the national procedure, while under the Hague Agreement procedure was filed only 1 application covering 5 industrial designs.
The foreign applicants have filed 199 applications with 765 industrial designs, i.e. 66.3 and, respectively, 37.2 percent of the total of those filed, which is by 0.5% and, respectively, 11.6% less as compared to 2011. Most of them  180 applications (90.5%) with 734 industrial designs (95.9%)  were filed under the procedure of the Hague Agreement, under the national procedure being filed 19 applications (9.5%) with 31 industrial designs (4.1%). These latter constitute 16% and, respectively, 2.4% of the indexes relating to the national procedure.
As in the previous years, the majority of applications filed under the national procedure (84%) proceed from the national applicants, and an absolute majority of applications filed under the procedure of the Hague Agreement (99.4%) – from the foreign ones.
In addition to applications for registration, 489 registration renewal applications for 1657 ID were filed in 2012, which is by 1.2% and, respectively, 30% more compared with the previous year. Most of renewal applications − 457 (93.5%) proceed from foreign applicants, of these 442 being filed under The Hague Agreement.

During the year 2012, there were subjected to substantive examination:
••61 applications with 782 ID, filed under the national procedure, of which:
––40 applications with 736 ID were accepted totally and 7 applications with 44 ID − partially, other 15 ID included therein being rejected for lack of novelty and conflict with other prior rights;
––8 applications with 11 ID were rejected totally, also for lack of novelty;
––6 applications and 20 ID were withdrawn;
••185 international applications with 733 ID, received under The Hague Agreement, for which:
––181 applications with 704 ID were accepted totally and 1 application – partially, of which 19 ID accepted and 6 ID rejected for lack of novelty;
––3 applications with 4 ID were rejected totally, also for lack of novelty.

In the year under review, there were issued 47 certificates of registration for 761 ID, being attested a decrease in the number of certificates − by 56% and an increase in the number of ID – by 128.56%, as compared with 2011.
The number of renewed international registrations increased during 2012 by circa 13.1 % compared with the previous year and that of ID − by circa 4.3%. Thus, decisions of renewal were adopted for 353 international registrations containing 1160 ID. In exchange, the number of national renewal certificates decreased, being issued 50 renewal certificates (by 24% less than in the previous year), for 140 ID. Of the number of registrations, which term of validity was supposed to expire in 2012, the share of renewed international registrations was 33.1% (257 of 777) and of renewed national ones − 38.5% (47 of 122).
On 31 December 2012, of the total number of 1318 ID registration certificates, issued by AGEPI throughout its activity, 574 were valid (43.6%), including 297 renewed, they accounting for 51.7% of the valid certificates. Of the total of 6285 international registrations of ID, which have acquired protection in the Republic of Moldova in the same period, 2767 (44%) were valid, including 1865 renewed, they accounting for 67.4% of the valid international registrations.

URLs of web pages of the Office’s website that provide statistics related to industrial designs

Statistical information on industrial designs is provided on the AGEPI site: http://www.agepi.gov.md/md/ desene/statistica.php

II. Matters concerning the generation, reproduction, and distribution of industrial design documents and of secondary sources of industrial design information, i.e., official gazettes

The most important publications in the field of industrial design documentation are the following:
- The Official Bulletin of Industrial Property Protection (BOPI) - monthly publication (PDF format);
- The National Industrial Designs Register;
- The National Industrial Designs Applications Register.

BOPI includes Sections V with information on industrial designs. Section V contains:
- BA1L Applications for registration (bibliographic data and graphic reproduction);
- List of industrial designs applications containing a request on publication delay;
- FF4L List of registered industrial designs;
- FG4L List of industrial design certificates, issued in ...(date of issuing);
- ND4L List of renewed industrial designs;
- FG4L List of industrial designs registered in the Republic of Moldova according to the Hague Agreement, ranged in the numerical order and in the order of the ICID;
- ND4L List of renewed industrial designs in the Republic of Moldova according to the Hague Agreement.

Section VI contains various types of notices referring to all amendments occurred to the legal status of the protected industrial property objects (List of amendments, List of cession contracts, Errata, FC9L List of rejected industrial designs, FA9L List of withdrawal industrial designs, MK4L List of industrial design registration certificates the term of validity of which has expired, etc), etc.

The Official Bulletin of Industrial Property Protection (BOPI) is provided on the AGEPI site: http://agepi.gov.md/md/publishing/bopi.php

URLs of web pages of the Office’s website that provide access to online industrial design gazettes and to other sources of industrial design information, including download of bulk industrial design data

http://agepi.gov.md/en/publishing/bopi.php

http://agepi.gov.md/en/publishing/intellectus.php

http://agepi.gov.md/en/publishing/agepi-info.php

http://agepi.gov.md/en/publishing/agepi-expo.php

III. Matters concerning classifying, reclassifying and indexing of industrial design information according to the classification systems applied

Republic of Moldova became a state party to the Locarno Agreement Establishing an International Classification for Industrial Designs (1968) on December 1, 1997.
The Agency uses the International Classification for Industrial Designs since 1994. All the documents are classified according to the Locarno Classification.
The classification symbols (the 9th edition of the Classification) of an application are allotted by the applicant. It is up to the Agency to afterwards check, and eventually to correct, the classification symbols.
The full texts (Romanian and Russian) of the 9th edition of the Locarno Classification (as in force on January 1, 2009) are provided on the AGEPI site:

http://agepi.gov.md/pdf/design/CIDMI-9-ro.pdf

http://agepi.gov.md/pdf/design/CIDMI-9-ru.pdf
The classification is used for the novelty examination, for search purposes and for statistics.

IV. Search file establishment and upkeep

At the disposal of examiners in their daily practice, there are the following databases:
- National automated searchable database “Industrial Design”

- International applications received in the International Design Bulletin (paper form and CD-ROM).

- Collection of OHIM, RO, RU, UA, HU, UK, FI, SI, CZ, PL, BG, MK, EE, LT, GE, BY applications received in the Design Bulletins (searchable database or CD-ROM).
Moreover, the manual paper search files consist of special books, periodicals, booklets, and a number of other lists and sources.
The examiner’s search files are updated on a regular basis.

V. Activities in the field of computerized search systems for industrial designs

In 2002 the interface for on-line searches in Data Base “Industrial Design” available in Romanian, English and Russian, was put into operation. At present, the “Industrial designs” Data Base contains information on the applications, published in BOPI, filed from 1993 up to date and on the registered objects. The users have access to the bibliographic data and graphic reproductions of industrial designs.
Data Base “Industrial Design” is provided on the AGEPI site: http://www.db.agepi.md/DMI/Search.aspx
All examiners have access to the Internet at their desks.
In 2004 a Data Base, including the international applications filled under the Hague system and designating the Republic of Moldova, was elaborated. Since 2009, the Data Base contains all the graphic reproductions of industrial designs. This Data Base is used as a register of the industrial designs and for examination procedure. Moreover, this Data Base is used during the substantive examination of trademarks.

VI. Administration of industrial design information products and services available to the public (relating to facilities, e.g., for lodging applications, registering designs, assisting clients with search procedures, obtaining official publications and registry extracts)

Services rendered by AGEPI
http://agepi.gov.md/en/services/index.php

Industrial designs. Databases
http://agepi.gov.md/en/design/databases.php

Search in ID Databases
http://www.db.agepi.md/DMI/Search.aspx

Industrial Designs. Guides on filling in forms
http://agepi.gov.md/pdf/forms/forms-opi/guides/gh-2112_en.pdf

VII. Matters concerning mutual exchange of industrial design documentation and information

International or regional cooperation in the exchange of industrial design information, e.g., in the form of official gazettes

In the year under review, AGEPI continued publishing and distributing on paper carrier, on the basis of mutual agreements with foreign national IP offices and International and European Organizations, and during the main promotion actions organized by AGEPI, periodical provided by its statute, namely:
- Annual Report AGEPI-2011 in 2 languages (Romanian and English)
- The Official Bulletin of Industrial Property (BOPI), on a monthly basis (ISSN 1810-7095);
- Collection of communications “AGEPI readings-2011”;
- Collection “Intellectual Property in Digits. Statistical Indicators of the activity on filling of applications, including industrial designs, and grant of legal protection of intellectual property objects in the Republic of Moldova during 1993-2001”.


Also, AGEPI updated the existing publications:
- IP magazine “INTELLECTUS” (ISSN 1810-7079 – on paper);
- Digest “AGEPI-INFO”, a supplement of the journal “Intellectus”

In the collection Library of Intellectual Property was printed a number of completed and updated publications which contain useful information in respect to industrial designs:
 brochures
- “Protection of Intellectual Property in the Republic of Moldova” in Romanian, Russian, and English;
- “How to register GIs, AO and TSG in the Republic of Moldova”;
- “WIPO Gold Medal Winners”.

 Booklets
- “Contest for the creation of National Symbols Associated with GIs, AO, TSG”
- “Protection of IP Objects”
 Folders
- “Welcome to AGEPI”
- “STOP Counterfeiting” and “STOP piracy” in Romanian and Russian.

Exchange of machine-readable information, e.g., data contained on CD-ROM or magnetic tape

All the AGEPI publications in respect to industrial designs can be accessed on the official website of the AGEPI: http://www.agepi.gov.md/en/publishing/index.php

On the basis of mutual agreements with foreign national IP offices and International and European Organizations, AGEPI distributes on CD-ROM the following periodicals:
- Annual Report AGEPI-2011 in 2 languages (Romanian and English)
- The Official Bulletin of Industrial Property (BOPI), on a monthly basis (ISSN 1857-050X);

Also, AGEPI updated the existing publications on CD:
- IP magazine “INTELLECTUS” (ISSN 1857-0496);
- CD “Intellectual Property Protection Legislation”

During the year was also improved and sent the Information from database “Industrial Designs” for WIPO.

VIII. Matters concerning education and training, including technical assistance to developing countries (please indicate URLs of web pages of the Office’s website wherever appropriate)

Promotional activities (seminars, exhibitions, visits, advertising, etc.)

In the year under review, in order to familiarize managers of enterprises with the benefits offered by the national IP system, were conducted 11 thematic roundtables, including on the aspects of registration and protection of industrial designs, both at AGEPI and enterprises, including:
- Thematic roundtables “Intellectual Property – support for increasing the competitiveness of enterprises”, organized within the premises of the Scientific-Practical Institute of Horticulture and Food Technologies “Pomicultura”, at “Viorica-Cosmetic” JSC, “Sandriliona” Ltd, “Franzeluta” JSC, “Bavarin&Co”, “Bucuria” JSC, “TUTUN CTC” JSC, being trained 113 persons.

To develop knowledge and skills of studious youth in the field of IP, including issues related to registration and protection of industrial designs, AGEPI contributed with 80 IP promotional sets (10 publications each) for the participants in the Student Competition entitled “Today Student-Tomorrow Entrepreneur”, organized by the Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova.

In the year under review, experts in the field of research and development, entrepreneurship and provisions of the new national legislation on the protection of industrial designs. Thus, AGEPI organized seminars for economic agents, including those in the field of small business, namely:
- Seminar “The Role of international Systems of registration of Industrial Designs in developing effective strategies for export” organized within the International Exhibition “Food&Drinks. Food Technology”, with participation of WIPO Experts (May 17, 2012, Chisinau).

Besides the above mentioned activities, with the view to inform the public on the evolution of the national IP system, of the special legislation nationally and internationally, events and actions, including in respect to patent protection aspects, during the year under review were organized 3 press conferences on occasion of the following events:
- Festive meeting dedicated to the World Intellectual Property Day-2012 “Promoting Visionary Innovators”;
- Launch of the Public Campaign “Stop Piracy and Counterfeiting” ;
- 20th anniversary from the foundation of AGEPI.

For the same purposes, AGEPI developed and distributed 15 press releases dispatched to the addresses of more than 45 information media.

Mass media representatives were invited to about 20 events organized by AGEPI or with the participation of the Agency, they being made available to various information and publications in the field of IP and provided consultations.

With the AGEPI specialist efforts were developed/published/broadcasted about 90 materials (articles, i8nterviews, communications) on:
- Radio Moldova
- TV
- “Journal TV”
- “Publika TV”

About 54 materials were disseminated by the replica press agencies, these being taken from the AGEPI website or realized with the contest of AGEPI specialists.

To increase the degree of public information, popularization of knowledge in the field of IP, in 2012 were used new thematic information dissemination tools: Internet, Facebook, etc. Also, AGEPI launced the new version of the web page www.agepi.gov.md.

Training courses for national and foreign participants

Training Course "Protection of Intellectual Property" organized by AGEPI during the year under review, which brought together 14 students, who obtained the qualification "Counsellor in Intellectual Property".

Assistance to developing countries (sending consultants and experts, receiving trainees from developing countries, etc.)

In the reporting year, with the support of WIPO in Moldova were organized 2 WIPO experts missions aimed at promoting international systems of protection industrial designs under the Hague System:
- Workshop "International Registration of Industrial Designs: advanced issued in filling under the Hague System", intended for AGEPI specialists and patent attorneys of Moldova (May 16-17, 2012, AGEPI Conference hall);
- Seminar on the role of international registration systems for industrial designs in building efficient export strategies in the Republic of Moldova", intended for economic agents participants in the National Exhibition "Food&Drinks. Food Technology", (May 17, 2012, Chisinau).

Also, in the period from November 10 to 14, 2012, during the documentation visit focused on the protection of industrial designs of the delegation from the National office of Intellectual Property of Vietnam (NOIP), AGEPI experts managed an exchange of experience on the national IP protection system related to procedure of examination of industrial designs, registration of industrial design registration applications, their international registration under the Hague Agreement, several practical aspects of examination of applications. In turn, NOIP delegation presented the information technology system used by the experts of the Vietnamese Office.

Traditionally, the most intense relationships and assistance were developed by the State Office for Inventions and trademarks of Romania (OSIM).
Thus, in the period from November 19-22, 2012, AGEPI hosted OSIM experts for an exchange of experience in the field of protection of industrial designs, which implied experts from the Trademarks and Industrial Designs Department of AGEPI and respectively, from the ID Service of OSIM.

With the view to increase professional skills and knowledge in the field of registration and protection of industrial designs, AGEPI experts have participated in the following international events:
- Practical training course on Industrial Property jointly organized by the WIPO Academy and the Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic (June 25 - July 6, 2012, in Prague, Czech Republic);
- The 19th international scientific-practical conference „Actual problems of intellectual property" (September 3 to7, 2012, Yalta, Ukraine);
- The 27th session of the WIPO Standing Committee on the Law of Trademarks, Industrial Models and Designs (September 17 to 21, 2012, in Geneva, Switzerland);
- Study visit at the Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic to get acquainted with the international registration of industrial designs (October 31 - November 1, 2012, in Prague, Czech Republic);
- The 2nd session of the Working Group on the legal development of the Hague System for the international registration of industrial designs (November 5 to 7, 2012, in Geneva, Switzerland);
- The 28th session of the Standing Committee on the Law of Trademarks, Industrial Designs and Geographical Indications (WIPO December 10 - 14, 2012, in Geneva, Switzerland);
- The 22nd session of the WIPO General Assemblies (December 17 to 18, 2012, in Geneva, Switzerland)

IX.Other general information related to the Office that is available on the Internet -- URLs of web pages of the Office’s website that:

provide information on legislation related to industrial designs

http://agepi.gov.md/en/design/legislations.php

contain the Annual Report of the Office

http://www.agepi.gov.md/en/about/report.php

contain industrial design-related news regarding the Office

http://www.agepi.gov.md/en/design/

X. Other relevant matters