Re: red vft
Terry Bertozzi - 229112 (swtftyb@hydrus.pi.sa.gov.au)
Thu, 21 Apr 1994 16:39:47 +0930 (CST)
>
> I read an ACPS Bulletin article our esteemed email colleague Terry
> Bertozzi wrote about PVRs (Plant Variety Rights) and how they are
> interpreted in Australia. I was struck by the fact that the regulations
> deal with special plant characteristics, in this case the red colouration,
> and not just a single plant clone. So if Mansell gets PVRs for the all-red
> VFT, his PVR will extend to every all-red VFT, even ones that are still
> in the field.
>
> With the advent of genetic engineering, there are some interesting legal
> precedents being set in the US regarding patenting food crops that have
> a lot of people upset.
>
> Usually ``all-red'' refers to a VFT with a fully-red trap. Is this what
> Mansell is talking about? Or is there a plant in Australia with red
> petioles and inflorescence?
Well, I figured since I wrote the thing I better tell you all what I know.
Apparently the applicant has to provide a description of the plant which
has to be created in some way e.g. cross A X B to get what they call a
variety (sorry Jan). Now as far as I am concerned I don't think you are
allowed to just get a palnt from the wild without altering it in some way.
The descriptions are published in the "Plant Varieties Journal" and I am
keeping a close eye on what is happening. For those that do not get the ACPS
journal, I try and find the copy of the article and attach it to another
message tomorrow. BTW Barry, I believe it is all red.
Cheers
Terry
bertozzi.terry@pi.sa.gov.au