On December 3-4, 2024, Chisinau hosted the Regional Seminar for IP Offices of Madrid System Members from Eastern Europe and neighboring regions, focused on the transition to XML Data Exchange and the implementation of API. The event was organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), in cooperation with the State Agency on Intellectual Property of the Republic of Moldova (AGEPI) and with the support of the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA).

The main objective of the seminar was to support the transition to XML Data Exchange (Extensible Markup Language XML) and the implementation of new technologies such as Application Programming Interface (API), important initiatives for streamlining and modernizing administrative processes under the Madrid System.

The event was attended by representatives of the intellectual property offices of the Republic of Moldova, Albania, Armenia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Lithuania, Serbia, Slovakia and the People’s Republic of China, as well as experts from WIPO.

In opening the seminar, Eugeniu Rusu, Director General of AGEPI, stated that: “This event is an important platform to strengthen the exchange of experience, good practices and innovative solutions in the implementation of modern processing and data exchange tools within the Madrid System. The transition to XML and the use of API are essential steps towards increased efficiency and better interoperability between our offices.”

Eugeniu Rusu also emphasized that “AGEPI is honored to host this regional seminar and to actively contribute to the joint efforts to modernize processes and services related to the Madrid System.”

The seminar agenda included presentations and discussions focused on various aspects of the technological transition. On the first day, participants were given a detailed introduction to the work of the WIPO Madrid Operations Division, as well as a presentation of the e-Communication project and the new XML standards. Speakers included international experts such as André Ntamack, Head of the Examination Policy and Quality Division, Roger Holberton, Deputy Director of the Madrid Information Systems Division, and Zhang Sijing, representative of CNIPA.

The sessions continued with case studies on the use of XML within AGEPI and CNIPA, and the day ended with a visit to the AGEPI headquarters, where participants had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the agency’s activities and information systems, thus deepening their understanding of how the institution fulfills its role in ensuring the protection and promotion of intellectual property.

The second day of the seminar focused on the implementation of API in the Madrid System, including presentations on the development of API in cooperation with the State Patent Bureau of Lithuania. During the working sessions, participants identified challenges and proposed solutions to be included in a roadmap for the adoption of modern technologies in their offices.

This seminar represents another important step in improving data exchange between offices and creating a more transparent and efficient system within the Madrid System. Through initiatives such as this, WIPO and its partners contribute to strengthening the technological capacities of intellectual property offices, thus supporting the development of modern and sustainable systems for the benefit of users of the IP system.

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