Boult Wade Tennant
Service » Global plant breeders’ rights and national listings

We have a growing practice and specialist expertise in supporting major horticultural and biopharma clients in relation to plant breeders’ rights and national listings. The team is equipped to assist clients in national listings for plant varieties within the UK as well as obtaining rights across Europe. We also offer expert advice on the potential infringement risks associated with plant variety rights held by third parties.

 

What we do

Secure and preserve
  • We have significant experience in filing and prosecuting applications for plant breeders’ rights (known as plant variety rights in some countries) and national listings in the UK for our clients.
  • In this regard, we regularly act before the Plant Variety Rights Office of the UK Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and have filed many applications using UPOV PRISMA.
  • We are regularly appointed as agent for existing UK plant breeders’ rights, particularly those created when the UK left the EU, and based upon former corresponding Community plant variety rights.
  • We are also able to coordinate the filing of plant variety right and national listing applications outside of the UK, including in the EU.

Technical toolkits

Services

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Patents

Our European, UK and German experts advise on the creation, exploitation and enforcement of IP rights across a wide range of sectors. They provide creative IP solutions and outstanding client service.

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Trade marks

Our highly skilled experts are experienced negotiators and have particular expertise in the management of large portfolios; searching and watching; domain name recovery; and trading standards and customs work.

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Designs

The team can advise clients across a wide range of industries on matters of design law and practice. They combine their commercial knowledge with legal expertise to provide high quality advice that is always pragmatic.

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Insights

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IP updates
Increases in official fees at the EPO effective 1 April 2026

Following a December 2025 decision, the EPO will increase key patent fees by 5% from 1 April 2026. Applicants should review portfolios and consider early payments to reduce costs.

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IP updates
EU-based and filing patent applications in an EU language other than English, French, or German? Receive a €500 translation fee reimbursement under the Unitary Patent System

The Unitary Patent system includes a €500 reimbursement for translation costs for eligible EU applicants filing in non-EPO languages, helping reduce costs despite UPC language limitations.

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IP updates
Preliminary opinion of the Enlarged Board of Appeal on description amendments (G 1/25)

The Enlarged Board’s preliminary view in G 1/25 indicates description amendments are needed when claim changes create EPC non-compliance, under Article 84, in both opposition and examination.

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IP updates
Female inventorship in the UK

A UKIPO report reveals gradual growth in female inventors in UK patent filings from 1997–2024. Despite progress, women remain underrepresented across sectors and inventor teams.

INSIGHTS

Patents