Dealing with oppositions
Any person may lodge a written objection to the grant of PBR (on an application that has been accepted) if they consider that their commercial interests would be affected by the grant of that PBR to the applicant and that the applicant has not submitted a correct and complete application.
Written objections must be lodged with the secretary within six months of the publication of the public notice.
An objection must describe the manner in which the objector's commercial interests would be affected and the reasons why they consider that the PBR application was not correct and complete.
An objection is of no effect unless it is accompanied by the prescribed fee.
The registrar must give a copy of the objection to the applicant.
For full details, please refer to the Plant Breeder's Rights Act 1994.
Minimise the possibility of oppositions
Every effort should be made in preparing an application for PBR to minimise the possibility of objection. Once triggered, objections may take a long time to resolve. They are often centred on ownership disputes.
Proof of distinctness is also a common problem that may attract opposition. There is a clear need to provide the required information regarding differences between the new variety and the most similar varieties its comparators).
Last Updated: 13/12/2012
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