The latest from GRAIN

Farmer's privilege under attack

Intellectual property rights (IPR) applied to seeds give breeders, or whoever claims to have discovered or developed a new plant variety, an exclusive monopoly right in relation to the seed. Under patent law, that monopoly right is very strong. It will generally prevent anyone from using, selling or producing the seed without the patent holder's permission.

Intellectual property rights (IPR) applied to seeds give breeders, or whoever claims to have discovered or developed a new plant variety, an exclusive monopoly right in relation to the seed. Under patent law, that monopoly right is very strong. It will generally prevent anyone from using, selling or producing the seed without the patent holder's permission.

The TRIPS review at a turning point?

Will there finally be some adjustments to the TRIPS life patenting regime as a result of the Cancun trade summit? After more than four years of stalemate between developed and developing countries, there are signs of movement&

Will there finally be some adjustments to the TRIPS life patenting regime as a result of the Cancun trade summit? After more than four years of stalemate between developed and developing countries, there are signs of movement&

FARMERS' PRIVILEGE UNDER ATTACK

The legal ability to reuse IPR-protected seed is called the farmers' privilege. Under plant variety protection (PVP) law, the totally ordinary act of saving seed or tubers becomes a privilege, a legal exception. The farmers privilege is a hot issue because the seed industry wants to control who produces seeds they want to control the market. Its also a hot issue because the seed industry is working hard to secure legal systems that restrict seed saving by farmers, be it through the World Trade Organisation (WTO), bilateral trade agreements or direct lobbying of governments. PVP or plant breeders rights legislation is all about taking power away from farmers to produce and reproduce seeds. And these laws are gaining ground.

The legal ability to reuse IPR-protected seed is called the farmers' privilege. Under plant variety protection (PVP) law, the totally ordinary act of saving seed or tubers becomes a privilege, a legal exception. The farmers privilege is a hot issue because the seed industry wants to control who produces seeds they want to control the market. Its also a hot issue because the seed industry is working hard to secure legal systems that restrict seed saving by farmers, be it through the World Trade Organisation (WTO), bilateral trade agreements or direct lobbying of governments. PVP or plant breeders rights legislation is all about taking power away from farmers to produce and reproduce seeds. And these laws are gaining ground.