The 49th session of the WIPO Standing Committee on the Law of Trademarks, Industrial Designs and Geographical Indications (SCT/49 Committee) was held from March 30 to April 2, 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland. The meetings were held in a hybrid regime.

More than 300 representatives from WIPO Member States, international governmental and non-governmental organizations participated in the work of the SCT/49 Committee.

The Republic of Moldova was represented by Simion Levițchi, Head of the Trademarks and Industrial Design Directorate, AGEPI, who was elected as Vice-Chairman of SCT/50.

The meeting of the  SCT/49 Committee was opened by WANG Binying, Deputy Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization, who stressed the importance of the current meeting of the Committee to discuss topics related to trademarks, industrial designs, geographical indications.

The meeting discussed the development of recommendations on the protection for graphical user interface (GUI) designs. It also discussed the development of a Study on Industrial Design Protection for New and Emerging Technologies: Approaches to Protection of New Technological Designs, including Projected Designs, Holographic Designs, and Virtual/Augmented Reality Designs (PHVAR Designs).

According to the Agenda, the topics related to the protection of nation brands in the Member States, the protection of well-known marks were addressed. Following coordination between Member States, it was agreed to carry out relevant actions for the purpose of producing a Questionnaire on the Legal, Administrative, and Procedural Aspects of Examination and Registration of Certification Marks.

The subject of geographical indications was addressed in plenary meetings and the Information Session of 31 March 2026 with reference to the following topics:

• Inclusive Governance of Geographical Indications and Sustainability;
• Plant Names and Geographical Indications

The communications presented during the information session can be accessed at  SCT/49/1 PROV.5.

The full agenda of the SCT/49 Committee can be accessed at SCT/49/1 PROV.5.