Overview/Objectives

This eLesson is designed to provide plant breeders and associated professionals with a basic understanding of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV). The concepts covered by this section include: the purpose of the UPOV convention, eligibility criteria for protecting a new plant variety, understanding the exclusive rights of the breeder as well as key exemptions, and the benefits of the UPOV system to promoting innovation in plant breeding.

After completing this lesson, you will be able to :

1. Explain the over-arching intent or purpose of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV).  

2. List and explain the key eligibility criteria for a new variety to receive protection under the UPOV framework.

3. List and explain the exclusive rights of the breeder, as well as, key exemptions to those rights.

4. Explain key benefits of the UPOV framework that supports investment in plant breeding, and contributes to agricultural sustainability and food security.