Republic of Moldova Joins European Patent Organization as 40th Member State
02-Jun-2026
|
Source : The European Patent Office (EPO)
|
Visits : 213
MUNICH - The Republic of Moldova became the 40th member state of the European Patent Organization (EPO). This follows the deposit of its instrument of accession to the European Patent Convention (EPC) on March 25, 2026, according to the official website of EPO.
As of June 1, 2026, European patent applications will automatically include the designation of the Republic of Moldova. This further extends the potential economic value of European patents as intangible assets.
On this occasion, Josef Kratochvíl, Chairperson of the Administrative Council of the European Patent Organization, said: “The accession of the Republic of Moldova reflects the continued appeal and strength of the European patent system. It demonstrates our shared commitment to fostering innovation, supporting economic development and deepening co-operation across Europe at a time when resilience and competitiveness are more important than ever.”
António Campinos, President of the European Patent Office (EPO), said: “We are delighted to welcome the Republic of Moldova as our newest member state. Building on many years of close co-operation with the State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI), this step will further enhance access to high-quality patent protection for innovators in the Republic of Moldova and across Europe, while strengthening the integration of the country’s innovation ecosystem into the European landscape.”
Vladislav Cojuhari, Moldovan Minister of Justice, said: “The Republic of Moldova is honored and privileged to become a member state of the European Patent Organization. This important milestone will significantly enhance the system for patent protection in our country. Accession to the European Patent Convention will create more favorable conditions for innovation and provide new opportunities and increased support for businesses, inventors, and researchers by continuously aligning the national intellectual property system with European standards.”
A long-standing partnership: from validation to EPO membership
Co-operation between the EPO and the Republic of Moldova dates back to the mid-1990s. A pivotal milestone was reached in October 2013 with the signing of a validation agreement, which entered into force on November 1, 2015, and which enabled patentees to extend their European patent protection to the country without the need to file a separate application. For the Republic of Moldova, validation served as a stepping stone towards deeper integration with the European patent system. The EPO has worked closely with AGEPI to help align practices and build technical capacity, paving the way for the country’s accession to the EPC.
A success story of European co-operation
The European Patent Organization supports innovation and economic growth across Europe. Since the signing of the EPC in 1973 by 16 states, the organization has grown to 40 member countries. These include all 27 EU Member States as well as Albania, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, the Republic of Moldova, Serbia, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United Kingdom.
European patent protection for a market of over 715 million
The EPO applies a centralized procedure to examine European patent applications for the Organization’s 40 member states, one extension state (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and five validation states (Morocco, Tunisia, Cambodia, Georgia and Lao People’s Democratic Republic). This enables inventors, researchers and companies from around the world to obtain high-quality patent protection for their inventions in up to 46 countries, covering a market of more than 715 million people. Set up in 1977, the EPO is headquartered in Munich, with offices in The Hague, Berlin, Vienna and Brussels, and employs almost 6,300 staff.