Enhancing Collaboration Between USDA and USPTO
Many plant breeders rely on intellectual property protection as a cornerstone of their business. The USPTO administers the U.S. Patent Act and issues patents for new inventions in all areas, including agriculture-related technologies. The USDA administers certificates under the Plant Variety Protection Act that grant breeders exclusive rights to new plant varieties. Both systems have the shared goal of incentivizing innovation and increasing public knowledge about new technologies in agriculture.