Introduction to the EC Regulation on Plant Variety Protection

This is an article by article commentary on Council Regulation (EC) No. 210004 on Plant Variety Protection which came into force on 27 April 1995. The Regulation enables breeders to obtain Community-wide protection for new plant varieties by filing a single application with the appropriate authority. It is expected that the new Community system will gradually become much more important than the Member States'' regulations.

This publication will give breeders, growers, farmers and business lawyers fundamental information on every Article of the Regulation, including the meaning of all the relevant definitions and terms, references to other Articles and to the Articles of the Regulations establishing implementing rules. The text also includes practical information regarding methods of application and costs. The Appendices include the complete texts of the Regulations establishing implementing rules, and also a list of important addresses.