National symbols for marking products “Ecological Agriculture – Republic of Moldova”, “Protected Geographical Indication – Republic of Moldova” (PGI), “Protected Appellation of Origin – Republic of Moldova” (PAO) and “Traditional Specialty Guaranteed – Republic of Moldova” (TSG) have obtained protection in over 190 member states of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (Paris Convention) and of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

This after, on September 30, expired the statutory period of 12 months from the date of publication, on which the member parties of the Paris Convention and WTO, notified by the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization, could submit any objections to grant protection for these signs.

National symbols were submitted for protection on behalf of the Republic of Moldova, in accordance with Art. 6ter of the Paris Convention, which establishes the legal instrument that provides protection to official signs of states that are party to the Paris Convention, as well as names and emblems of international intergovernmental organizations against the unauthorized registration thereof or any imitations from a heraldic point of view as trademarks.

Protected national symbols are signs that can be used by local producers to promote their products and to inform potential consumers with reference to the particular characteristics held by the products marked with said symbols.