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
The recipe for success: how food science innovators can use IP to retain their competitive edge

From trade secrets to patents, IP plays a vital role in protecting innovation across food science—covering recipes, packaging, and manufacturing in a booming £5.8bn industry.

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IP updates
Will the UPC guide the EPO when it comes to description amendments?

Recent UPC decisions suggest a shift toward deleting embodiments not covered by amended claims. G 1/25 may confirm this as EPO seeks alignment. Read our analysis and what this means for drafters.

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IP updates
You snooze, you lose at the UPC: Court rejects new arguments presented late in the procedure

The Düsseldorf UPC rejected a late-filed argument on added matter, reaffirming its strict, front-loaded procedure and the importance of early, complete case preparation.

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IP updates
Claim interpretation at the EPO after the recent case law (G 1/24)

T 1846/23 shows how G 1/24 is being applied: the EPO rejects narrowing claims via the description alone. As G 1/25 is awaited, the importance of clear drafting is reinforced.

INSIGHTS

Patents