2023年2月20日

欧洲专利局(EPO)已经决定,九年异议程序开始后,维护种子和化学公司先正达公司的专利在经典培育甜椒粉虱与自然阻力(EP2140023)。这个案件于2月16日一次。这一决定尽管办公室2017年执政,重大的政治和社会压力,植物的天然属性和产品基本的生物过程不得申请专利。这一裁决不具有追溯效力。“发明了什么”的最新裁决是一个重大的打击,一个广泛24-organization(包括荷兰Bionext)来自27个国家的联盟。这个团体反对这项专利是在2014年。“我们非常失望。这个不应该被授予专利。先正达并没有发明任何东西。他们所做的是标准的育种实践的一部分,“说Maaike Raaijmakers, Bionext生物的传播和繁殖项目负责人。 That disappointment is even greater because current legislation no longer allows patents on natural traits. Also, the trait the company is claiming as its invention comes from a wild bell pepper from the Wageningen gene bank. These days, seed companies taking genetic material from a gene bank to use in their breeding program must sign a statement promising not to patent it. Consequences This ruling, says Bionext, is nightmarish for the hundreds of other patent applications relating to fruit and vegetables' natural properties filed before July 1, 2017. The EPO could still approve these too, with dire consequences. Other seed companies would no longer be able to use the patented traits to develop new varieties freely. According to Bionext, that would ultimately lead to a less varied range, higher prices, and greater dependence for growers and horticulturalists. "It's absolutely vital that patents allowing companies to appropriate pieces of nature end as soon as possible. We'll now discuss the next steps with our international partners. Appealing this ruling, thanks partly to the lengthy procedure, unfortunately, makes little sense. The patent expires in 2027 anyway," Maaike concludes. For more information: