UPP1

UPOV

The International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) is an intergovernmental organization with the mission to provide and promote an effective system of plant variety protection, with the aim of encouraging the development of new varieties of plants for the benefit of society. UPOV was established by the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants, which was signed in Paris in 1961.

History

The need for a system to protect new plant varieties was recognized in the early 20th century, as plant breeders sought to secure intellectual property rights for their innovations. The first UPOV Convention was adopted in 1961, and it has been revised several times, with the most recent version being the 1991 Act. The organization is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

Objectives

UPOV aims to:

• Provide and promote an effective system of plant variety protection.
• Encourage the development of new varieties of plants.
• Facilitate the international harmonization of plant variety protection laws.

Structure

UPOV is composed of member states that have ratified the UPOV Convention. The main bodies of UPOV include:

• The Council, which is the decision-making body.
• The Consultative Committee, which advises the Council.
• The Administrative and Legal Committee, which deals with legal and administrative matters.
• The Technical Committee, which addresses technical issues related to plant variety protection.

Membership

As of 2023, UPOV has 78 members, including countries and intergovernmental organizations. Membership is open to any state that is a member of the United Nations or any of its specialized agencies.

UPOV Convention

The UPOV Convention provides a framework for the protection of new plant varieties. It establishes the criteria for protection, which include:

• Novelty
• Distinctness
• Uniformity
• Stability

The Convention also outlines the rights of breeders, including the exclusive right to produce, sell, and market the protected variety.

Criticisms and Controversies

UPOV has faced criticism from various groups, particularly regarding its impact on farmers' rights and biodiversity. Critics argue that the UPOV system favors large commercial breeders and may limit the traditional practices of saving and exchanging seeds.

Also see

• Intellectual Property
• Plant Breeding
• Biodiversity
• Farmers' Rights
• World Intellectual Property Organization