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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Bulletins

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New UK IPO guidance for trade mark applicants following SkyKick: a change of UK IPO practice: what you need to know

PAN 1/25, effective 27 June 2025, introduces a new UK IPO examination practice post-SkyKick, targeting overly broad or vague trade mark applications and aiming to curb bad faith filings.

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Dr Michelle Pratt in conversation with Trade Mark Partner Rachel Conroy

Rachel Conroy shares insights on her 18-year journey at Boult, leading its award-winning trade mark team, embracing challenges like Brexit, and valuing team fit, growth, and clear communication.

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Debunking common myths about the UPC and UPs: some basics and not-so-basics

The UPC has been open for two years. We bust common myths and misconceptions about the Unified Patent Court and Unitary Patent system, with practical insights and updates from our experts.

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Copyrightability of AI generated works

CAIP2 confirms AI-created works lack US copyright unless there's identifiable human input. Prompts alone don’t qualify - yet. UK also weighs how to protect AI-involved content.

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Patents