During the period 10–12 November 2026, the State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI) is hosting a working visit of representatives of the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks of Romania (OSIM), dedicated to the exchange of experience and best practices in the field of intellectual property, with a focus on the protection of geographical indications.

The visit provides a framework for professional dialogue between experts from the two institutions, in order to deepen the legislative and procedural aspects related to the management and protection of geographical indications, as well as to identify practical solutions that can contribute to the development of the geographical indications system in both states.

The normative framework of the European Union for the protection of geographical indications for craft and industrial products, as well as Romania’s experience in this field, including the legislative and institutional challenges identified in this process will be addressed within the framework of the working sessions dedicated to geographical indications.

At the same time, the discussions will focus on the competences of OSIM and the distribution of responsibilities between the national authorities involved in the management and protection of geographical indications, the institution’s cooperation with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), including participation in the activity of the Geographical Indications Virtual Community (GI Virtual Community).

Another important topic will be the procedure for the protection of geographical indications at the national level and their notification in order to obtain protection at the European Union level. In this context, the experts will exchange information on the procedural and documentary requirements, the practical difficulties encountered and the solutions applied. The digitization tools and information platforms used in the management of geographical indications, including those developed by the EUIPO, will also be presented.

The exchange of experience with OSIM is of interest to AGEPI in the context of the developments of the European framework for the protection of geographical indications and the efforts of the Republic of Moldova to align the national intellectual property system with the European Union acquis. Romania’s experience as an EU member state provides practical benchmarks for understanding European mechanisms and aspects related to their application at national level.

Through this visit, AGEPI and OSIM continue the institutional dialogue and exchange of best practices, contributing to the strengthening of cooperation between the two offices and the development of professional capacities in the field of geographical indications protection.