Moldova has left the Eurasian Patent Convention – update to our earlier news of 25.4.2012

Please note that any Eurasian patent application filed on 26 April 2012 or later will not cover Moldova anymore. The earlier filed Eurasian patent applications and the already issued Eurasian patents will remain in force in Moldova.

However, PCT applications having an international filing date before 26 April 2012 and duly filed with the Eurasian Patent Office within 31 months from the earliest priority date will be in force in Moldova if the corresponding annuity is paid after the patent grant. The Eurasian Patent Office will also continue to handle appeals, annuity payments, registrations of assignments and other legal matters in relation to Eurasian patents in force in Moldova or applications having an international filing date before 26 April 2012.

Going forward, as a result of the denunciation of Moldova from the EAPC, any international application filed on or after 26 April 2012 will contain the designation of the Republic of Moldova only for a national patent, and will not include the designation of that State for a Eurasian patent. The PCT national phase entry deadline for Moldova will be 31 months from the earliest priority date.

In case you wish to file a national patent application in Moldova, please feel free to contact us.