Boult Wade Tennant
Service » Global plant breeders’ rights and national listings

We have a growing practice and specialist expertise in supporting major horticultural and biopharma clients in relation to plant breeders’ rights and national listings. The team is equipped to assist clients in national listings for plant varieties within the UK as well as obtaining rights across Europe. We also offer expert advice on the potential infringement risks associated with plant variety rights held by third parties.

 

What we do

Secure and preserve
  • We have significant experience in filing and prosecuting applications for plant breeders’ rights (known as plant variety rights in some countries) and national listings in the UK for our clients.
  • In this regard, we regularly act before the Plant Variety Rights Office of the UK Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and have filed many applications using UPOV PRISMA.
  • We are regularly appointed as agent for existing UK plant breeders’ rights, particularly those created when the UK left the EU, and based upon former corresponding Community plant variety rights.
  • We are also able to coordinate the filing of plant variety right and national listing applications outside of the UK, including in the EU.

Technical toolkits

Services

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Patents

Our European, UK and German experts advise on the creation, exploitation and enforcement of IP rights across a wide range of sectors. They provide creative IP solutions and outstanding client service.

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Trade marks

Our highly skilled experts are experienced negotiators and have particular expertise in the management of large portfolios; searching and watching; domain name recovery; and trading standards and customs work.

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Designs

The team can advise clients across a wide range of industries on matters of design law and practice. They combine their commercial knowledge with legal expertise to provide high quality advice that is always pragmatic.

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Insights

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IP updates
More on claim interpretation at the EPO after G 1/24

G 1/24 clarifies that while the EPO must consult the description, claims take primacy. Patentees must draft claims clearly - no reliance on interpretive help from the description.

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IP updates
Intellectual property (IP) and photovoltaics: examining the EPO’s latest observatory report

EPO data shows sustained growth in photovoltaic patents, with China leading production. Europe’s universities and start-ups are driving innovation in PV devices, materials, and applications.

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IP updates
No help from Luxembourg: UPC Court of Appeal says CJEU can’t rule on interpretation of UPCA

The UPC Court of Appeal confirms its duty to interpret law in line with EU law but cannot seek CJEU rulings on the UPCA or RoP. One-month cost deadline held compatible with EU law.

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IP updates
Government consultation into changes to the UKIPO’s trade mark, design and tribunal services

The UKIPO's second digital transformation consultation confirms key changes to trade mark services, including axing series marks and trialling mediation for IP disputes in 2025.

INSIGHTS

Patents