PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION OF PROTEACEAE IN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND SOUTH AFRICA

Protection of new varieties is critical to the sustainability of any breeding effort just as new varieties are critical to the long term sustainability of the industry. Future Fynbos (Pty) Ltd., a privately owned breeding company specialising in Proteaceae, has experience in applying for plant breeders’ rights and trademarks in both South Africa and the European Union (EU). Procedures, costs and time-frames for PBR and trademark applications in these two regions, for three different genera of Proteaceae, are discussed.