UPOV

International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants is an intergovernmental organization established to provide and promote an effective system of plant variety protection. Founded by the UPOV Convention, the organization encourages the development of new plant varieties by granting breeders exclusive rights over eligible varieties.

The UPOV system provides legal protection for plant breeders whose varieties satisfy the requirements of novelty, distinctness, uniformity, and stability (DUS). These rights enable breeders to control the production, reproduction, sale, marketing, export, import, and other commercial uses of protected plant varieties for a specified period.

UPOV currently includes numerous member states and organizations around the world and serves as the principal international framework for plant variety protection. The organization develops guidance, technical standards, and examination principles used by national plant variety offices when assessing applications for breeders’ rights.

Membership in UPOV facilitates international cooperation and harmonization in plant variety protection, helping breeders obtain protection for new varieties in multiple jurisdictions while promoting agricultural innovation, plant breeding, and food security.

Resource: https://www.upov.int/en