Plant breeders rights

Plant breeders' rights are a form of intellectual property designed specifically to protect new varieties of plants. They entitle the holder to prevent anyone producing, selling, importing and exporting plants and seeds protected by these regulations.

You can register new plant or seed varieties with The UK or EC plant varieties offices. More information is available from the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (defra) which has responsibility in this area.

The International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) is responsible for an international convention on plant breeders' rights.

You may also be able to register the name of a new variety of plant or seed as a trade mark.