Maryland Plant Variety and Trademark License Agreement

• Category: Contracts - Trademark License
• State: Multi-State
• Control #: US-0996BG
• Format: Word; Rich Text

Description

Variety licensing is a tool for plant breeding companies and institutions to commercialize their varieties and to transfer technology to farmers efficiently. As the seed industry becomes increasingly privatized, interest in in-licensing new varieties, both from national and international sources, is likely to increase. Likewise, financial pressure on public sector breeding will increase the need for the targeted commercialization of varieties through out-licensing. As the seed sector becomes more transparent, the market should see more foreign investment from companies who wish to make their varieties available through licensing. That, in turn, should promote local seed production and variety testing. The licensee and the licensor should focus primarily on the practical content of the license agreement, specifically, exclusivity to plant material and territory, plant variety protection, variety trials, national registration, royalty payment, and information transfer. The purpose of this chapter is to provide guidance for prospective licensors and licensees in the practical issues of in- and out-licensing of varieties