The protection of new plant varieties has been an important part of the IPR protection strategy in China. The country launched the new regulations on protecting new plant varieties as early as 1997.
On April 23, 1999 China acceded to the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants and became the 39th member of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV).
According to government regulations a new plant variety refers to a cultivated plant variety, or a developed on based on a wide plant, which is new, distinct, uniform and stable and its name is designated. Without permission from the owner, no one is allowed to grow or sell these varieties. The protection of new plant varieties has benefited farmers greatly. In order to make the protection more affordable China has dropped the fees recently.
- The application fee decreases from RMB 1800 to 1000
- The examination fee decreases from RMB 1 4 600 to 2 500
- The DUS examination cost cancels
- The annual fees decreases from RMB 1 500 to 1 000 during first year to 6th year
The new fee structure is into force since 1 September, 2007.
