Source: CropBiotech Net

Impacts of Strengthened Intellectual Property Rights Regimes on the Plant Breeding Industry in Developing Countries
N.P. Louwaars, R. Tripp, D. Eaton, V. Henson-Apollonio, R. Hu, M. Mendoza, F. Muhhuku, S. Pal & J. Wekundah
Wageningen University

The most common mechanism in five developing countries (China, Colombia, India, Kenya and Uganda) to protect varieties in the plant breeding industry is hybridization. Other mechanisms include seed laws, contract law, brands and trademarks. This was the finding of a study commissioned by the World Bank on strengthening Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in the plant breeding industry and its effect on agriculture in developing countries.

The study assessed initial experiences with strengthened IPRs in developing country agriculture. It analyzed the design, management and impacts of various IPR instruments applied to plant breeding in five developing countries. Various issues were covered such as the implementation of IPR regimes, changes in public and private plant breeding, and changes for farmers.

Indicators, according to the study, that are unlikely to wait for a rapid formation and efficient enforcement of the IPR regime types are political realities, limitations in administrative resources, and varied economic incentives in developing countries.

Study in PDF format: http://www.cgn.wageningen-ur.nl/pgr/images/IPR%20in%20breeding%20industry.pdf.