The National Association “COPYRIGHT” and the National Association of Phonogram Producers and Performers request the authorities to verify the legality of the reconciliation transaction concluded between AO “MORA”, the State Agency for Intellectual Property and the Ministry of Justice. The two associations claim that, as a result of this agreement, AGEPI unjustifiably changed its position on the approval of AO “MORA”, even though the reasons previously invoked for refusal would not have been removed. In their opinion, the situation could affect the rights of other collective management organizations and the functioning of the entire copyright and related rights administration system.

In a press conference at IPN, representatives of the two organizations announced that they have notified the Government, Parliament, and Presidency, requesting the examination of the circumstances under which the settlement transaction was concluded and the verification of the actions undertaken by AGEPI in the case of AO “MORA”.

The President of AN “COPYRIGHT”, Liviu Stirbu, reminded that on January 22, AGEPI refused to approve AO “MORA” as a collective management organization, invoking information presented by the National Anti-Corruption Center and the Information and Security Service. According to him, the institutions have signaled alleged links of the organization with a leader of collective management organizations from the Russian Federation, as well as the existence of security risks.

Liviu Stirbu stated that this information was neither withdrawn nor declared illegal, however, on July 21, the Ministry of Justice and AGEPI concluded a reconciliation transaction with AO “MORA”. Subsequently, on July 28, AGEPI revoked its refusal decision and ordered the resumption of the approval procedure.

“We believe that the situation created goes beyond the limits of a simple administrative dispute and requires a complete inter-institutional check, including from the perspective of legality, integrity of the decision-making process, and the economic and informational security of the state,” stated the president of “COPYRIGHT”.

The author Eugeniu Turuta stated that the reconciliation transaction does not only produce effects between the parties involved in the process, but it can influence the entire collective management system and the rights of already authorized organizations. In his opinion, the court and the authorities have not analyzed the impact of the agreement on the other organizations, nor have they explained the reasons for the change in AGEPI’s position.

“In administrative law, a fundamental principle operates: the public authority must justify its decisions. When it radically changes its position, this obligation is all the more important”, Eugeniu Turuta further stated.

The conference participants also addressed the issue of the delay in appointing the single collector of remuneration for copyright and related rights. They argue that, due to the blocking of the process, authors and performers did not receive their remuneration this year.

The interpreter Ian Raiburg mentioned that the artists did not earn “not a penny” in 2026 and proposed that the copyright field should be managed by the Ministry of Culture, not by AGEPI.

In the same context, the composer Oleg Baraliuc stated that the absence of a designated single collector generates significant financial losses for the rights holders and asked for explanations regarding the delay of the procedure.

At the same time, the speakers announced that they intend to launch a signature collection campaign for the dismissal of AGEPI’s leadership and for the transfer of the copyright domain under the subordination of the Ministry of Culture.

When asked by IPN for a reaction, the Ministry of Justice redirected the request to AGEPI, which stated that it will provide a response later. The representatives of AO “MORA” have not yet responded to the request for comments.

Note: IPN Agency offers the right of reply to those who consider themselves targeted in the news made from the statements of the organizers of this press conference, including by facilitating the organization of another press conference under similar conditions.