Plant Breeders Rights

Can you brand a plant or flower? Yes you may have protectable intellectual property rights (IPR) in addition to naming rights.

Patents for plants called ‘Plant Breeders’ Rights’ offers legal protection for the investment plant breeders make in breeding and developing new varieties. They are available through DEFRA under the Plant Varieties Act 1997. A separate system of European Union (EU) plant breeders’ rights is also available and globally via International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV).

A deep working knowledge of the IPR in your business area is key to optimising your business opportunity. You would expect an author to know about copyright and an inventor or scientist to have a knowledge about the Patent process.