Three international seed organizations are advocating for an international system of cooperation (ISC) for plant breeders’ rights.
The International Seed Federation (ISF), CropLife International (CLI) and the International Community of Breeders of Asexually Reproduced Ornamental and Fruit Varieties (CIOPORA) have submitted a joint paper to the UPOV Consultative Committee proposing the idea.
An ISC would build on the current UPOV system by increasing its accessibility to plant breeders worldwide and helping them to overcome the obstacles they face in securing Intellectual Property (IP) rights in UPOV member states, the three groups say. Member surveys by ISF, CLI and CIOPORA showed that deviation from national application procedures, multiple language regimes, cost and time were the main obstacles.
An ISC would enable breeders to file PBR applications in various markets via a simplified and unified procedure, creating advantages for breeders and maximizing the effectiveness of the UPOV system, according to the groups.
