Introduction to UPOV

Despite the complexities of the plant breeding industry, the following is a list of possible functions that could be expected from an IPR regime in plant breeding, recognizing that controversy exists regarding the extent to which each of these functions is desirable:

In the interest of the rights holder:

1. to prevent farmers from saving seed of the protected variety, sharing the seed with neighbours, or engaging in large-scale informal sale of the seed (‘brown bagging’);
2. to prevent competing commercial seed producers from multiplying and marketing the protected variety without a license;
3. to prevent competing seed producers from using protected product names or logos;
4. to prevent competing plant breeders from using a protected variety in the development of a new variety.

In the interest of the public:

5. to put material in the public domain when rights have expired;
6. to stimulate improvements and innovations that increase the choices available to farmers.

You can read more about patents and PVP on this page. Please note that this page is not named in the menu. Despite the complexities of the plant breeding industry, the following is a list of possible functions that could be expected from an IPR regime in plant breeding, recognizing that controversy exists regarding the extent to which each of these functions is desirable. Which one do you agree upon most?

Forum Discussion

Please indicate why your ratings differ per stakeholder group. You can see the ratings of other participants when clicking on the 'View Ratings' button on the thermometer page. Please visit the Discussion Forum to discuss your answers.