World Intellectual Property Day was celebrated on April 26. The theme of this day in 2018 was: Powering Change: Women in Innovation and Creativity. Worldwide events proposed by the World Intellectual Property Organization have also included manifestations that took place at national level and were organized by AGEPI to highlight the potential and role of intellectual property for economic, cultural and social development of our country.

Thus, the marking of this world celebration in the Republic of Moldova began with the organization of open lessons in 10 lyceums in the Chisinau municipality. AGEPI specialists spoke to pupils about intellectual property and the role of women in innovation and creativity.

Also on April 26, AGEPI has opened its doors to anyone wishing to learn about AGEPI’s activity. During this day, visitors were informed about AGEPI’s activity, the benefit of protection of inventions, trademarks, industrial design, copyright, etc., received consultations on sources of information and documentation in the field of intellectual property protection and how to access the national and international databases in the field.

A festive meeting of the Agency’s staff was also organized within AGEPI. Members of the National Commission on Intellectual Property (NCIP) also attended the meeting. With health wishes and beautiful achievements to the specialists in the field of intellectual property addressed the AGEPI Director General Lilia Bolocan, desiring them a lot of inspiration, work power and new successes on the realm of professional activity. Congratulatory messages for AGEPI employees came from Andrei Chistol, Head of the Cabinet of the Minister of Education, Culture and Research, as well as the representatives of the EU Technical Assistance Project “Support to Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights in the Republic of Moldova”.

Next, during the festive meeting were presented the distinctions obtained by the inventors from the Republic of Moldova at the International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva, which took place from 11 to 15 April this year. Seven of the seven inventions exhibited by the representatives of the Republic of Moldova were awarded medals. The stand of the Republic of Moldova was assured and organized through the financial contribution of AGEPI.

The program of the manifestations dedicated to the World Intellectual Property Day culminated in a Networking entitled “Powering Change: Women in Innovation and Creativity”, organized by AGEPI, at the National Art Museum of Moldova, on the evening of April 26. The event brought together several successful women from the Republic of Moldova, representatives of the public authorities, diplomatic corps accredited in the Republic of Moldova, research and higher education institutions, inventors and researchers, specialists in the field of intellectual property. The Networking also included an exhibition of works of members of the Association of Disabled Entrepreneurs from the Republic of Moldova.

In the opening of the event, AGEPI Director General Lilia Bolocan mentioned that World Intellectual Property Day this year is an opportunity to highlight how the intellectual property system can support innovative and creative women in their attempts to turn their ideas into a product on the market.

With congratulatory messages also came Valentina Buliga, deputy in the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, Roman Chirca, Director of the Agency for Innovation and Technology Transfer, Viorica Carare, President of the Competition Council, Elena Belei, State Secretary for Research Sector at the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research and Irina Revin, President of the Association of Disabled Entrepreneurs in the Republic of Moldova.

The totals of the Photo Contest “Women Who Inspire”, organized by AGEPI on the occasion of the World Intellectual Property Day, were announced during the event. In total, 26 participants with 66 photos participated in the contest. Winners received diplomas and prizes. Thus, the winner of the Photo Contest “Women Who Inspire” was designated Grigore Stegarescu, with two photos. Vadim Sterbate ranked second and Valentina Panaiti ranked third. At the same time, the jury decided to award the Simpatia public award to the participants who gained most appreciations of the works on the Facebook page of AGEPI. Thus, the most appreciated photos were of Mihaela Saharnean and Cristina Craijdan.

Also, within the framework of networking were awarded by AGEPI the top 3 most active inventors of the Republic of Moldova in the last five years: Olga Covaliova (33 applications filed), Natalia Mascenco (22 applications filed) and Olga Macagonova (21 applications filed).

Three trademark registration certificates and two industrial design registration certificates were presented during the event, the holders of which are women.

World Intellectual Property Day is marked since 2000, and April 26 represents the day on which the Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization (1970) entered into force.