Prime Minister Vlad Filat today participated in the inauguration of the continuous training course Enforcement of Legislation on Intellectual Property, the government's press service has said.

The training, organized by the National Justice Institute with the support of the US embassy in Chisinau, is attended by jurists, prosecutors and criminal investigation officers.

The director of the National Justice Institute (INJ), Eugenia Fistican, voiced hope that the participants in the seminar would acquire useful information for their professional activity. She said that the intellectual property is an essential component of the economic development, stressing that efficient protection of this area should be a priority of the relevant bodies.

Fistican thanked the international partners for having constantly supported the Institute since its creation in November 2007.

Prime Minister Vlad Filat said that the issue raised at this seminar is extremely important. He expressed hope that the participants would be imbued with responsibility in their activities.

Vlad Filat added that the lack of regulation and the inefficient protection of the intellectual property seriously affects the state's economic development. The premier said that, although Moldova has a normative framework adjusted to the European standards and structures regulating this area, the outcomes are modest.

"Hence, those who suffer are the consumers and economic agents the rights of which are being violated," the prime minister said.

Vlad Filat gave as example the situation in the media, with some TV channels broadcasting pirated movies even before these are officially launched.

"This fact affects not only film producers, but also media outlets and local consumers," Vlad Filat said.

The premier said that, to make proper order in the field, it is necessary to have a systemic approach towards the protection of intellectual property. He also highlighted the need that the government elaborates and approves an action plan.

The prime minister thanked the US Government, especially the American embassy in Chisinau for its constant support for Moldova, and gave assurances that the provided assistance would yield results.

US Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Moldova Asif J. Chaudhry said that he wanted very much that the information provided during this seminar be applied.

The ambassador also said that intellectual property protection is a very important subject in the USA. He gave as example an address to the nation by US President Barack Obama, who said that innovations are essential for prosperity and they will further be so.

"Moldova is a small state, and it can achieve important economic results namely due the brilliant innovations and ideas and their efficient protection," the ambassador said.

Asif J. Chaudhry stressed that the lack of regulation and protection of this field may have a serious negative impact on the state's development.

After the official part of the seminar, Prime Minister Vlad Filat and Ambassador Asif J. Chaudhry, accompanied by Eugenia Fistican, visited the building of the National Justice Institute.
Moldpres
[ 2010-03-10 ]