To familiarize investigating officers with the tools to combat the phenomenon of piracy of computer programs, on August 12, in the conference hall of the State Agency on Intellectual Property of the Republic of Moldova (AGEPI) was held the Training Seminar entitled “Combating Piracy of Computer Programs”. The seminar was organized by AGEPI in cooperation with the Business Software Alliance (BSA).

The seminar was attended by specialists from the National Investigation Inspectorate and Prosecutor General’s Office, as well as employees of AGEPI.

The Training Seminar entitled “Combating Piracy of Computer Programs” was opened by the Director General of AGEPI Lilia Bolocan. “Today’s seminar is another step towards strengthening the mechanism for enforcement of copyright in the Republic of Moldova. We have so many hopes and expectations from you and we are ready to offer you the necessary support”, specified the Director General of AGEPI.

BSA was represented by Daniel Martin, who said: “This training is intended for investigating officers. BSA interest is to work with public authorities in order to implement the legislation in the field of intellectual property, as computer programs are also IP objects”.

At the same time, the head of the Intellectual Property Department within the Fraud Investigation Directorate of the General Police Inspectorate Iurie Cater noted that the seminar organized by AGEPI in cooperation with the BSA is very necessary for police activity. “I hope that this seminar will be a beginning for all of us because software piracy is more complex and we’ll need collaboration both internally and with other institutions in order to obtain a positive result” concluded Iurie Cater.

During the seminar were discussed issues related to combating piracy of computer programs, including: methods of detection and investigation, cooperation with public authorities, security aspects, aspects related to proof of licensing, legal aspects and ways to control the legality of using software products, etc.

The participants in the seminar had the opportunity to exchange experience and information on issues to combat piracy of computer programs and got acquainted with various case studies in the field.

In conclusion, Ion Tiganas, Deputy Director General of AGEPI, the moderator of the seminar noted that harmonization of specialized legislation, adoption of the national strategy in the field of intellectual property (IP), establishment of a structure responsible for combating IP violations in the General Police Inspectorate, are clear signals for effective enforcement of copyright in the Republic of Moldova.

It is also extremely important the collaboration between police officers and right holders, with a view to provide information on offenses and criminal cases.