For including in its name the names “Republic of Moldova”, “Moldova”, “Țara Moldovei” and derivatives thereof, the company must pay a state duty of 100 thousand lei to the budget. And for authorizing its use in a trademark and/or service mark – 5000 lei, in an industrial drawing or model (for one application) – 2500 lei.
This is stipulated by the Regulation on the procedure and conditions of granting and revoking the authorization to use the official or historical name of the state in the name of a commercial legal entity, which came into force. The document was elaborated by the Justice Ministry and establishes new rules in this field. It specifies the procedure for granting and revoking authorization, the conditions that a company must meet, the work of the commission that decides on it, as well as their impact on Moldova’s business climate and image.
According to the legislation, the authorization to use the official name must be obtained by companies that pursue the purpose of profit making, including companies with foreign founders. In the previous regulation, the norms and conditions under which the name “Moldova” could be used by an economic entity pursuing the purpose of profit-making were not established.
In addition, the Contravention Code provides for sanctions for violation of the right to use the name of the state as established by law. Depending on the status of the person, the fine ranges from 72 to 150 cu.e.
Authorization to use the name of the state will be granted if the legal entity’s total income for the last year from export of products and/or services is at least 50% or it has been assigned the status of a large taxpayer.
The new rules will not apply to companies that already use the official name of the state in their name.
