Plant Variety Journal - IP Australia

Plant Varieties Journal Vol. 23 Number 4
Applying for Plant Breeder's Rights
Applications are accepted from the original breeder of a new variety (from their
employer if the breeder is an employee) or from a person who has acquired ownership
from the original breeder. Overseas breeders need to appoint an agent to represent
their interests in Australia. Interested parties should contact the PBR office and an
accredited Qualified Person experienced in the plant species in question.
Steps in Applying for Plant Breeder's Rights
• Obtain from the breeder a signed Authorisation to act as their agent in
Australia for the variety in question if your role is as the Australian agent of an
overseas breeder;
• Complete Part 1 of the application form, supplying a photograph of the new
variety, paying the application fee, nominating an accredited 'Qualified Person'
and, if the variety is an Australian species, despatch as soon as possible
a herbarium specimen;
• Engage the services of the nominated accredited 'Qualified Person' to plan and
supervise the comparative growing trial;
• Conduct a comparative growing trial to demonstrate Distinctness, Uniformity
and Stability (DUS), complete Part 2 of the application form and paying the
examination fee;
• Deposit propagating material in a Genetic Resources Centre.
• Examination of the application by the PBR Office, which may include a field
examination of the comparative growing trial; and including
• Publication of a description and photograph comparing the new variety with
similar varieties in Plant Varieties Journal, followed by a six-month period for
objection or comment.
• Upon successful completion of all the requirements, resolution of objections
(if any) and payment of certificate fee, the applicant(s) receive a Certificate of
Plant Breeder's Rights.
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