Intellectual property protection: An emphasis on plant varieties

The enactment of Intellectual Property protection laws globally and involvement private seed industry in India had become indispensable for IP agriculture as whole plant varieties particular. For varieties, the Distinctiveness Uniformity Stability (DUS) descriptors various crops (vegetables, field crops, floriculture, horticulture etc.) were developed notified by Protection Plant Varieties Farmers Rights (PPV FR) Registry testing. With increasing awareness IPR agriculture, submission applications from registration has started under Registry. Subsequently, public sector (Indian Council Agricultural Research (ICAR) Universities (AUs)); sector; farmers Extant, New Essentially Derived (EDVs) crops. study period pertaining to years 2007-2015 reveals that contributed immensely protecting self-pollinated (food, fibre pulses crops), whereas sector’s focus is largely confined towards open-pollinated varieties. Private submitted highest number ‘EDVs’ tetraploid cotton. Progress farmers’ PPV FRA reinforces importance uniqueness this sui generis system adopted India. It is, expected prospects variety development sectors will improve overtime. This trend also opens scope breeders design varietal programmes desirable traits crop species.