Plant Patents

Plant patents are a specific type of intellectual property protection granted to inventors who develop new varieties of plants. This legal protection allows the inventor to exclude others from making, using, or selling the patented plant for 20 years. To qualify, the plant must be distinct, uniform, and stable, meaning it should be different from existing plants and breed true to its characteristics. Plant patents encourage innovation in horticulture and agriculture by rewarding inventors for their contributions to developing new plant breeds, such as flowers, fruits, or vegetables.