Intellectual Property Rights Resources

Ag Accord
Beginning in 2010, the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) and the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) and their members engaged key stakeholders to address the opportunities and the challenges associated with patent expiration. The result of this dialogue was the development of a framework, called the Accord, a private-sector driven mechanism that provides for the transition of regulatory and stewardship responsibilities for biotechnology events, after patent expiration.

The International Seed Federation
The International Seed Federation represents the interests of the mainstream of the seed industry at a global level through interaction and dialogue with public and private institutions that have an impact on international seed trade.

US Plant Variety Protection Office
PVPO administers the Plant Variety Protection Act (PVPA), by issuing Certificates of Protection in a timely manner. The Act provides legal intellectual property rights protection to breeders of new varieties of plants which are sexually reproduced (by seed) or tuber-propagated.

US Patent and Trademark Office
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is the Federal agency for granting U.S. patents and registering trademarks.

UPOV
The mission of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants is to provide and promote an effective system of plant variety protection, with the aim of encouraging the development of new varieties of plants, for the benefit of society.