The 48th session of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Standing Committee on the Law of Trademarks, Industrial Designs and Geographical Indications (SCT/48 Committee) was held during the period 24 – 27 March 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland. The meetings were held in a hybrid regime.

Over 400 representatives from WIPO Member States, international governmental and non-governmental organizations participated in the work of the SCT/48 Committee.

The Republic of Moldova was represented by Simion Levițchi, Head of the Trademarks and Industrial Designs Directorate, AGEPI, and Luminița Bodarev, Senior Consultant, Legal Assistance and Contract Registration Division, Legal Directorate, AGEPI.

The SCT/48 meeting was opened by Wang Binying, Deputy Director General of WIPO, who highlighted the importance of the current meeting of the Committee to discuss issues related to trademarks, industrial designs and geographical indications.

The meeting discussed the development of recommendations on the protection of graphical user interface (GUI) designs, including the organization of an information exchange session at the next session of the Committee.

According to the Agenda, the topics related to the protection of country brands in the Member States were addressed. The use of existing instruments such as registration as trademarks, including through the Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks, and in accordance with Art. 6ter of the Paris Convention, were discussed.

The topic of geographical indications was addressed in plenary sessions and two events:

• Information session - The Value of Geographical Indications Around the World. The papers presented at the information session can be accessed at: SCT/IS/GEO/GE/25;
• Information session - Recognition of Geographical Indications as Valid Rights in the Domain Name Dispute Resolution Procedures: Recent Developments and Prospects. The papers presented at the information session can be accessed at: SCT/IS/GEO/GE/2/25.

The full agenda of the SCT/48 Committee can be accessed at: SCT/48/1 PROV.4.