The short answer
Under Law No. 38-XVI of 29 February 2008 on the Protection of Trademarks (as amended to 2023), a trademark registration is valid for ten years from the application filing date and can be extended for consecutive ten-year periods an unlimited number of times. Renewal is requested in the last 6 months or within 6 months after expiry with an additional fee. Objections are filed within three months of publication, and a mark not used for five years can be revoked. Applicants without a presence in Moldova must act through a patent attorney.
Trademark deadlines in Moldova at a glance
These rules come from Law No. 38-XVI of 29 February 2008 on the Protection of Trademarks, as amended up to 24 March 2023, in the English text on WIPO Lex. Fees are set separately, so we confirm them before we file.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long does a trademark last? | Ten years from the application filing date, extendable for ten consecutive years an unlimited number of times (Article 15). |
| Which date does the term count from? | The application filing date (Article 15). Renewal takes effect from the day after the previous ten-year period expires (Article 16(4)). |
| When can I renew? | The owner or an expressly authorised person can request renewal within the last 6 months of validity, with the fee paid. The renewal covers only the goods and services for which it was requested, and is entered in the National Register and published (Article 16). |
| Is there a grace period? | Yes. Registration can also be renewed during the 6 months after the term expires, on payment of an additional fee. Non-payment of the renewal fee leads to revocation of the rights (Article 16(2) and (5)). |
| Opposition period | Within three months of publication, any person can lodge a written objection with the Agency, which gives the applicant two months to respond. Third parties can also submit comments within three months on grounds such as Article 7. The publication follows within three months of the filing date (Articles 38 to 40). |
| Reply to an office action | The Agency carries out formal and substantive examination and notifies the applicant of any ground for refusal, who can respond (Articles 37 and 41). |
| Priority claim | A right of priority applies from an earlier application in a Paris Convention state or WTO member, claimed within the time in Articles 33 to 36. |
| Non-use | If during the five years after registration the trademark has not been actually used in Moldova for the registered goods or services, or use is suspended for an uninterrupted five-year period, the owner may be deprived of the rights, unless justified reasons for non-use exist. Use includes use with consent, in a form that keeps distinctiveness and use for export (Article 14). |
| Assignment | The right to a trademark can be transferred by agreement and the transfer is recorded in the National Register (Articles 25 and 26). A trademark owner must tell the Agency of any change in details, and non-essential changes can be entered on request (Article 17). |
Who can register a trademark in Moldova
Any natural person or legal entity can file an application with the Agency (Article 28). Applicants based in Moldova can act personally or through a representative (Article 29(1)).
Representation. Natural persons and legal entities with no permanent residence, main place of business or operational enterprise in Moldova must be represented before the Agency by an authorised patent attorney (Article 29(2)).
Trademark registration process in Moldova
Search
- Search the the State Agency on Intellectual Property of the Republic of Moldova (AGEPI) records for identical or similar marks in your classes.
File the application
- File with the the State Agency on Intellectual Property of the Republic of Moldova (AGEPI), through a Moldovan patent attorney.
- Claim priority at filing if you filed abroad recently.
Examination
- The office examines the application and tells you in writing if there is a problem. We reply within the time set in the notice.
Publication and opposition
- An accepted application is published.
- After publication, objections and third-party comments can be filed within three months, and the applicant can respond within two months (Articles 39 and 40).
Registration
- If there is no opposition, or it fails, the mark is registered and a certificate is issued.
Official fees are set by the the State Agency on Intellectual Property of the Republic of Moldova (AGEPI) and change. We confirm the current fee for your classes before we quote, so the figure you see is the one that applies on the day.
Moldova trademark validity and renewal
- Registration is valid for ten years from the filing date.
- Renew in the last six months or up to six months after with an extra fee.
- Renewal covers only the goods and services requested.
- Use the mark in Moldova to avoid revocation after five years.
Diarise the last six months of the ten-year term from the filing date.
Assignment, licence and changes to a Moldovan trademark
Changes
Non-essential
Non-essential changes can be entered on request with a fee (Article 17).
Division
Possible
A registration can be divided (Article 18).
Transfer
By agreement
Transfer follows Articles 25 and 26.
Agent registrations
Owner protection
A registration in an agent's name can be challenged by the owner (Article 12).
Non-use and cancellation of a Moldovan trademark
The owner may be deprived of rights for five years of non-use, unless justified (Article 14). The Law also provides for refusal, invalidation and objection in the cases it sets.
Keep dated proof of use in Moldova: invoices, packaging, advertising and website pages that show the mark with the goods or services.
How to check a trademark in Moldova
Search the AGEPI trademark database and the official bulletin (BOPI) for the filing, publication, registration and renewal dates.
Sources used
- Law No. 38-XVI of 29 February 2008 on the Protection of Trademarks (Moldova), as amended to 2023, English text on WIPO Lex: Articles 14 to 17, 25, 26, 29, 38 to 40.
- AGEPI for fees, forms and the current procedure.
Moldova trademark FAQ
How long does a trademark last in Moldova, and from when?
Ten years from the application filing date, extendable for ten consecutive years an unlimited number of times (Article 15). It counts from the filing date (Article 15).
When should I renew a Moldovan trademark, and is there a grace period?
The owner or an expressly authorised person can request renewal within the last 6 months of validity, with the fee paid. The renewal covers only the goods and services for which it was requested, and is entered in the National Register and published (Article 16).
What is the opposition period in Moldova?
Within three months of publication, any person can lodge a written objection with the Agency, which gives the applicant two months to respond. Third parties can also submit comments within three months on grounds such as Article 7. The publication follows within three months of the filing date (Articles 38 to 40).
How much does it cost to register a trademark in Moldova?
The official fee is set by the the State Agency on Intellectual Property of the Republic of Moldova (AGEPI) and changes. We confirm the current fee for your classes and quote the full cost before filing.
Can a foreign company register a trademark in Moldova?
Yes. A foreign applicant must act through a Moldovan patent attorney (Article 29(2)). We arrange this.
Can I assign a Moldovan trademark?
The right to a trademark can be transferred by agreement and the transfer is recorded in the National Register (Articles 25 and 26). A trademark owner must tell the Agency of any change in details, and non-essential changes can be entered on request (Article 17).
Can a Moldovan trademark be cancelled for non-use?
If during the five years after registration the trademark has not been actually used in Moldova for the registered goods or services, or use is suspended for an uninterrupted five-year period, the owner may be deprived of the rights, unless justified reasons for non-use exist. Use includes use with consent, in a form that keeps distinctiveness and use for export (Article 14).
How can I check the status of a Moldovan trademark?
Use the the State Agency on Intellectual Property of the Republic of Moldova (AGEPI) register and check the publication, registration and renewal dates.
Can I claim priority from my home country?
A right of priority applies from an earlier application in a Paris Convention state or WTO member, claimed within the time in Articles 33 to 36.
How do I change the owner's name or address?
Record the change with the the State Agency on Intellectual Property of the Republic of Moldova (AGEPI) so notices and renewal reminders reach the right address. Ask us for the current form.
Protect your brand in Moldova
SUPREMEiP® files trademarks worldwide through its network and checks every Moldovan deadline against the law. Send us your mark and we will tell you the route, the deadlines and the cost.
