Government calls patentees to constructive discussions

The Government is disposed to hold constructive talks with patent holders over the amendment of the law on patent-based entrepreneurship, but it does not intend to ask the Parliament to cancel the law’s stipulations that envisage the gradual exclusion of the kinds of activities carried out under patent. Minister of Economy and Trade Igor Dodon spoke about this at a news conference on January 16. He said that this subject has an evident political implication already. According to Dodon, the central authorities repeatedly said they are ready to constructively discuss with the patentees their problems. The minister stressed that it was after such discussions that the Government approved, in 2007, a decision that allows patent holders that sell goods from stalls to work without cash registers one more year after the patent expires. Similar decisions can be taken if the patentees submit constructive proposals. The minister said that the protest organisers have not yet asked the Government or the Ministry of Economy and Trade to open talks on the amendment of the law. The Small Business Association and other organisations and political parties staged about 100 protests all over Moldova in 2007, demanding that the law that bans the commercial activity under patent be cancelled. A number or protests have been organised this year in a number of towns. The patentees said they are determined to take more drastic action. On July 7, 2006 the Parliament introduced amendments to the law on patent-based entrepreneurial activity. Under the amendments, the number of activities allowed under patent will be gradually reduced. The trade in goods subjected to excise duties and in electronic and domestic appliances, the freight transportation services and transportation of up to seven passengers, the cultivation and sale of flowers, the sale of building materials and furniture is not allowed from January 1, 2006 The trade in kiosks and other rooms that do not exceed 12 square meters and in food products under patent was banned from January 1, 2008. The sale of all the types of products from stalls, booths and vehicles in authorised markets will be banned from January 1, 2009.