The Plant Variety Protection Office (PVPO) provides intellectual property protection to breeders of new varieties of sexually reproduced, tuber propagated, and asexually reproduced plant varieties. Implementing the Plant Variety Protection Act (PVPA), we examine new applications and grant certificates that protect varieties for 20 years (25 years for vines and trees). Our certificates are recognized worldwide and allow faster filing of PVP in other countries. Certificate owners have rights to exclude others from marketing and selling their varieties, manage the use of their varieties by other breeders, and enjoy legal protection of their work.
In the U.S. there are 3 types of intellectual property protection that breeders can obtain for new plant varieties:
- Plant Variety Protection - seeds, tubers, and asexually reproduced plants (issued by PVPO)
- Plant Patents - asexually reproduced plants (issued by the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO)
- Utility Patents - for genes, traits, methods, plant parts, or varieties (issued by the PTO)
Our services create an incentive for the development of new and improved varieties. New varieties, better suited for the environment and pest/disease control, promote agriculture production and food security for an increasing world population.
To apply for a new PVP, review the application requirements.
For more information, contact:
USDA, AMS, S&T, Plant Variety Protection Office
1400 Independence Ave., S.W.
Rm. 2915-South Bldg., Mail Stop 0274
Washington, DC 20250-0002
Office: (202) 260-8983
PVPOmail@usda.gov