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Moldova is First to Ratify PLT

Geneva, October 30, 2001
Press Updates UPD/2001/146

The Republic of Moldova became the first state to ratify an international treaty, concluded in June 2000 under the auspices of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), to simplify and streamline procedures for obtaining and maintaining a patent. Moldova deposited its instrument of ratification with the Director General of WIPO, Dr. Kamil Idris, during the meetings of WIPO's Assemblies earlier this month. The Patent Law Treaty (PLT) will enter into force once it has been ratified by ten countries.

Dr. Idris welcomed the move by Moldova and expressed hope that other countries would follow suit in the near future. "The harmonization of patent procedures made possible by the PLT will benefit all users of the patent system," said Dr. Idris. He noted that a streamlined and user-friendly application system will translate into lower costs for users, making the industrial property system even more accessible to nationals of all countries. Lowering the barriers of entry to the patent system is a high priority for the Director General. Earlier this month, WIPO's 177 member states endorsed proposals by Dr. Idris to launch the "WIPO Patent Agenda", a strategic blueprint for the future evolution of the international patent system. The initiative results from the Director General's vision that WIPO must continue to provide strong leadership in developing the patent system to facilitate the process of harnessing creative potential for economic benefit in all countries.

When the PLT was finalized in June 2000, it capped 5 years of negotiations and was hailed as a major step towards further harmonization of patent law. Once it enters into force, the PLT will harmonize and streamline, on a worldwide basis, formal patent procedures relating to national and regional patent applications and maintenance of patents thereby reducing the cost of patent protection and making the process more user friendly and widely accessible. Inventors seeking patent protection must as a first step meet certain formality requirements in order to avoid rejection of their application and a consequent loss of rights. These formalities currently vary from one country to another. In standardizing them, the PLT offers both inventors and national and regional patent offices a number of advantages. For further information, please consult PR/2000/222 and PR/2000/219.

For further information, please contact the Media Relations & Public Affairs Section at WIPO: Tel: 4122-3388161/3389547; E-mail: publicinf@wipo.int; Fax: 4122-3388810.

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