On September 16, 2026, the Government of the Republic of Moldova approved the Draft Government Decision amending the Regulation on the procedure of filing and examination of a patent application and of issuance of a patent, approved by Government Decision No 528/2009. Approval of this draft marks a significant step toward modernizing the national normative framework for patents and continuing the process of aligning the industrial property protection system with European standards.

Updating the normative framework is driven by technological advancements and the evolution of the intellectual property protection system, the need to streamline national procedures, and commitments undertaken by the Republic of Moldova as part of its European integration process. In this context, the draft aims to:

• establish the normative framework necessary to implement the Convention on the Grant of European Patents, adopted in Munich on October 5, 1973, to which the Republic of Moldova acceded on June 1, 2026;
• transpose relevant provisions of European Union patent legislation;
• improve the procedures for examination of patent applications filed under Law No 50/2008 on the Protection of Inventions, as well as the procedures for grant of protection titles.

The amendments help clarify and streamline the procedures for examination of patent applications and grant of protection titles, including supplementary protection certificates and the procedures for extension of their duration. By establishing clearer and more predictable procedures, the normative framework will offer applicants and rightholders greater predictability in the invention protection process.

Modernizing patenting procedures is directly relevant to the development of the national innovation ecosystem. An efficient protection system aligned with European practices can help stimulate research and development activities, facilitate technology transfer, and foster partnerships between academic environment, research centers, and the private sector.

The adoption of the draft is part of a broader of strengthening and modernizing the national framework for the protection of inventions, in line with European standards. These measures create favorable conditions for developing research and development activities, facilitating technology transfer, and attracting investment in knowledge- and innovation-based sectors.