Piacenza, October 15, 2011 "Innovating Food, Innovating the Law" Conference LAURENT MANDERIEUX (Università Luigi Bocconi, Italy) Plant variety or patentability of plants? Video: http://vimeo.com/31478655

1. The Legal Protection of New Varieties of Plants in the post-TRIPS Environment Laurent Manderieux L. Bocconi University

2. Innovating food and new varieties of plants: different concepts but many key connections Laurent Manderieux

5. The Legal framework 3 international IPR agreements protect plant varieties and plant breeders’ rights. - Two major treaty systems are under the auspices of the Union internationale pour la protection des obtentions végétales ("UPOV") - The TRIPs Agreement, forming part of the World Trade Organization ("WTO") Laurent Manderieux

6. UPOV Acts adopt sui generis systems of protection (tailored to the needs of plant breeders), with two modalities (1978 vs. 1991) The TRIPs Agreement requires WTO Members to protect new plant varieties using patent rights, a sui generis system or some combination thereof >>> TRIPs leaves states with flexibility>>> National governments have options in choosing the intellectual property regime applicable to plant varieties Laurent Manderieux

7. The 3 existing texts = 3 main approaches for protecting new varieties of plants Cf. Handout n°1 Laurent Manderieux

9. Country reactions ( as per the UPOV Secretariat) - In Europe - In the Americas (USA vs. Latin America) - In Africa Laurent Manderieux