Plant patent

A plant patent is a legal protection granted to someone who has invented or discovered a new, asexually propagated plant variety, such as a new type of flower or fruit plant. It gives the inventor exclusive rights to reproduce, sell, and use that plant for 20 years in the United States. This encourages innovation by allowing the inventor to profit from their unique plant, while preventing others from copying or selling it without permission. Plant patents cover discovered or cultivated new plant varieties but do not apply to ordinary, naturally occurring plants.