Plant Variety Registration

Sistem Patent offers expert consulting on plant variety registration. In Turkey, new plant varieties are protected not by patent but by variety registration. The system exists to encourage the development of new varieties and give specific rights to the breeders behind them for defined periods.

Registrable Plant Varieties

Plant variety registration covers the recording of field crops, vineyard and orchard plants, other plant species, and their genetic resources. Varieties that meet the general conditions below can be registered:

• Novelty: propagation or harvested material of the variety is considered new if, as of the filing date, it has not been sold or made available to the public for use by the rights holder or with their consent within the prior year domestically, four years abroad, or six years for trees and vines.
• Distinctness: at the filing or priority date, a variety is considered distinct if it can be clearly distinguished from varieties known by anyone.
• Uniformity: a variety is considered uniform if, apart from possible variation tied to the propagation method used, it shows consistency in the relevant traits.
• Stability: a variety is considered stable if its relevant traits remain unchanged across successive propagations or after defined propagation cycles.
• Naming: once a variety is protected, its name becomes its common name. The name has to allow clear identification and has to differ from a name identifying an existing variety of the same or a related botanical species.

Application Process

Turkish citizens and legal entities filing have to prepare the documents required for plant variety registration and submit the application to TÜRKPATENT (the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office). Sistem Patent supports you through every stage of the process.

The variety filed has to meet the novelty, distinctness, uniformity, stability, and naming conditions set out above. Meeting the other conditions in the regulations also matters.

Protection Periods

The protection period for registered plant varieties is generally 25 years from the filing date. For certain species such as trees, vines, and potatoes, that period can extend to 30 years.

What Sets Sistem Patent Apart

Sistem Patent provides professional support on plant variety registration and helps the process run quickly and effectively. The main advantages we offer:

• Expert team: our experienced specialists support you at every stage of the application.
• Thorough analysis and reporting: we carry out the analyses and reports your plant variety registration needs with care.
• Fast and reliable service: your applications are completed in full and on schedule.
• Legal support: we guide you through every legal step to keep your rights protected.

Why Register Plant Varieties

Registering new plant varieties grants exclusive rights to the breeders and encourages innovative agricultural and horticultural activity. Quality and diversity in the agricultural sector grow, and more research and development becomes possible for plant varieties.

Required Documents for Filing

The documents required for a plant variety registration application are:

• Identification of the applicant
• Name and description of the plant variety to be registered
• Technical information and documents explaining the chemical, physical, and genetic traits of the plant
• Information defining the geographical boundaries of the region where the plant grows
• Documents explaining the supervision and control procedures
• Proof of payment of the application fee

Sistem Patent is by your side through the plant variety registration process, managing your applications properly and closing them out successfully. You can count on us to protect your plant varieties and secure your legal rights.