The Agricultural Crop Licensing Platform Extends to Ornamental and Fruit Crops

After three years of operation, the Agricultural Crop Licensing Platform (ACLP) has expanded its scope to include ornamental, fruit, and forest crops, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of the platform. Launched in 2023 as an initial framework, the ACLP was envisioned as a dynamic system capable of adapting to the evolving needs of its members and the broader seed sector. The decision to extend the platform's coverage to new crop categories was approved by members without debate, underscoring the widespread recognition of the benefits this expansion would bring to breeders across Europe.

The ACLP, which currently brings together approximately 95% of patented traits in commercial varieties of agricultural crops, aims to provide breeders with transparent patent disclosure, standardized licensing agreements, fair arbitration mechanisms, and legal certainty. This expansion ensures that breeders of all crop types, including those specializing in ornamental, fruit, and forest crops, can now access patented traits in a streamlined and secure manner.

Hélène Guillot, the Managing Director of the ACLP, emphasized the platform's mission to facilitate collaboration and innovation within the European seed sector. "With this expansion, every breeder in Europe now has the opportunity to become a member of a licensing platform that enables them to display patented traits or access those of interest in a fair and secure environment," she explained.

Claudia Hallebach, Chair of the ACLP, further highlighted the complementary nature of the two licensing platforms. "Breeders of vegetables can turn to the International Licensing Platform (ILP), while those working with all other crops can rely on the ACLP," she stated. "Both platforms are designed to support breeders and ensure that they have access to the patented traits they need to develop new and improved varieties."

The PINTO database, hosted on the Euroseeds website, serves as the central hub for companies to disclose their patented traits. In the near future, the database will be updated to include patented traits present in the newly added crop categories owned by ACLP members. This will further enhance the platform's transparency and accessibility, allowing breeders to easily locate and utilize the traits they require.

The ACLP is open to any company conducting breeding activities within its territory, which includes the countries of the European Patent Office, as well as Russia and Ukraine. Patent-holding members are required to disclose all patents contained in their commercial varieties and to grant a commercial license to any ACLP member requesting access. This ensures that there is a fair and equitable distribution of patented traits among breeders, fostering innovation and growth within the sector.

The expansion of the ACLP to include ornamental, fruit, and forest crops is a testament to the platform's commitment to addressing the diverse needs of European breeders. By providing a transparent and standardized framework for licensing and accessing patented traits, the ACLP is poised to strengthen the position of small and medium-sized breeding companies, which often face challenges in navigating complex patent landscapes.

In conclusion, the ACLP's expansion to include ornamental, fruit, and forest crops represents a significant step forward in promoting collaboration, innovation, and access to patented traits across Europe. With its commitment to transparency, fairness, and legal certainty, the platform is well-positioned to continue supporting breeders and driving advancements in the agricultural sector.