Recent Trends in the Patenting of Plants and Animals: in the United States, Europe and Australia

Abstract

This RIRDC report highlights a number of potential issues surrounding the patenting of plant and animal-related innovations, including the use of patented inventions in research, the disparities between the exceptions to protection contained in the Plant Breeder’s Rights Act 1994 and in patent law, in particular the treatment of farm-saved seed, and the use of restrictive terms and conditions in patent licensing agreements. The information will provide insight and guidance to researchers, research managers and those involved in the commercialisation process.