The NDSU Research Foundation (NDSURF) recently settled two cases of plant variety protection (PVP) infringement on the protected Alsen and Glenn wheat varieties.

“PVP laws are in place to protect variety owners who have invested significant research dollars in developing new varieties, as well as the seedsmen who are legally propagating and selling certified seed,” says Dale Zetocha, NDSURF executive director. “Research fees and royalties from the NDSURF varieties are used to help fund new variety development at North Dakota State University. Therefore, illegal seed sales of PVP-protected varieties can result in a significant loss in research fees that go toward future research and development of varieties.”

In both cases settled out of court, the parties agreed to the settlement of infringement issues by paying substantial monetary penalties for the unauthorized seed sales of NDSURF PVP-protected wheat varieties.

“NDSURF has joined many other wheat variety developers and owners in a strong educational campaign promoting research and wheat seed stewardship through an educational cooperative known as the Farmers Yield Initiative (FYI),” Zetocha says. “Through programs such as the FYI, NDSURF informs producers and sellers of the importance of seed certification and the value it adds to the agricultural community.”

For more information on PVP, see the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service website at http://www.ams.usda.gov and then go to Regulatory Programs. Information on the Farmers Yield Initiative, including the benefits of planting certified seed or reporting an infringement, can be found at http://www.farmersyieldinitiative.com.

NDSU Agriculture Communication