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Save the Date for our Next In Person CIOPORA Academy Workshop ! Join us on April 15th in Marrakesh for the CIOPORA Academy Workshop! Don’t miss the workshop invite – subscribe to our updates and stay tuned! Subscribe * indicates required Email Address * First …
The CIOPORA Academy is making its fifth return to Madrid!
Join us for this highly acknowledged workshop which is tailor-made for professionals within the fruit sector who are eager to delve deeper into the fascinating world of Plant Breeders’ Rights and Intellectual Property for Plants.
In today’s evolving horticultural landscape, understanding the intricacies of plant breeders’ rights is crucial for professionals in the ornamental and fruit breeding sector. This workshop has been crafted to cater to your specific needs, ensuring that you gain the essential knowledge and insights to navigate the complexities of supplying the world with new plant varieties.
Our workshops are designed to foster an interactive and engaging learning experience. Through lectures with practical case studies, and real-world examples, you’ll have the opportunity to actively participate and address your questions directly with the experts.
For a preview of what to anticipate, kindly refer to the information provided below.
Dinner Venue : La Canica, Av. de los Andes, 25, 28043 Madrid
October 2, 2023
CIOPORA Academy Workshop
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Workshop Venue: Novotel Madrid Campo de las Naciones
Campo De Las Naciones, C. de Ámsterdam, N° 3, 28042 Madrid
We would be happy to welcome you to our traditional CIOPORA Academy dinner, which provides valuable networking opportunities with your colleagues and friends of the horticultural world in a relaxed atmosphere.
19:15 – Meet in the Lobby of Novotel Madrid Campo de las Naciones
19:30 – Dinner at La Canica
*Not included in workshop ticket
08:30 – 09:00 – Arrival & Registration
09:00 – 10:15
The Unitary Patent System in Europe
Speakers: Fleur Tuinzing-Westerhuis, Houthoff
The Unitary Patent System entered into force in June 2023, ten years after the original agreement was signed. The Unitary Patent Court has started its work, meaning that legal disputes relating to the new Unitary Patent will be heard by the Unified Patent Court (UPC). During this presentation, Fleur will explain the importance of the Unitary Patent System for horticultural plant breeders.
Fleur Tuinzing-Westerhuis is a Counsel at Houtfoff (The Netherlands) and specializes in technology-related Intellectual Property matters, with focus on Patents and Plant Variety Rights. In her daily practice, Fleur represents a wide variety of domestic and international companies that are active in technology-intensive business sectors, such as agrifood and biotech. Fleur is an experienced patent litigator and is one of a handful of lawyers in the Netherlands with extensive experience in litigation relating to national and Community Plant Variety Rights. Over the past seventeen years, Fleur has litigated in various cases before the Dutch courts, the Dutch Board of Plant Varieties and the CPVO. Furthermore, Fleur has broad experience in advising on commercial contracts, including R&D agreements, license and technology transfer agreements.
10:15 – 10:45 – Networking Coffee Break
10:45 – 12:00
The Legal Treatment of Harvested Material
Speakers: Isabel Pérez-Cabrero and Pedro Tent Alonso, Garrigues
The session will explain the notion of “Harvested Material” in Plant Variety Rights law, analyzing the cumulative conditions imposed on the protection of Harvested Material under both UPOV 1991 and the EU Plant Variety Rights legislation. We will also carry out a practical analysis through the existing comparative case law on the subject and will discuss the impact of exhaustion on the cascade protection of Harvested Material.
Isabel Pérez-Cabrero is a principal associate in the Industrial and Intellectual Property Department at Garrigues, where she practices in the areas of patents, trademarks, industrial designs, advertising and unfair competition, with a particular focus on plant varieties. She deals with both litigation and contractual aspects in defence of the aforementioned rights, and has extensive experience in advising holders of plant varieties, whose defence she has carried out before the Board of Appeal of the Community Plant Variety Office, the Court of Justice of the European Union and the General Court of the European Union. Isabel is a regular contributor to the Magister Lvcentinvs promoted by the University of Alicante and is a lecturer on the Master’s Degree in Access to the Legal Profession offered by the European University of Valencia. She is also the author of several articles and chapters in Spanish publications on substantive aspects of intellectual property.
Pedro Tent (Law Graduate with honors from the Universitat de València and LLM from the London School of Economic and Political Sciences –Corporate and Commercial Law–) is the Partner responsible for the IP Law Department of J&A Garrigues in its Levante region; he is also the Partner responsible for the Litigation and Arbitration Department in the Valencia Office, and teaches “International Commercial Law” as an Associate Lecturer at the Universitat de València, and “EU legal system for the protection of innovation” and “Proceedings before the CJEU” as a Guest Lecturer at the Magister Lvcentinvs in the University of Alicante. Pedro has developed outstanding expertise in the field of EU Plant Variety Protection, leading multiple litigation proceedings before the Spanish Courts and the European Court of Justice (including the Nadorcott case). Pedro leads a team of PVR expert lawyers facing on a daily basis legal works concerning license drafting, prosecution tasks, judicial actions, and arbitration conflicts. He has delivered multiple conferences and speeches before Universities, UPOV, EUIPO, and other institutions in the field of PVR.
12:00 – 13:15 – Networking lunch
13:15 – 14:30
Life after PVR: How to maintain Licensing Revenue post-PVR
Speaker: Carolina Cordero di Vonzo, Baker McKenzie
Developing new plant varieties involves huge investments in terms of time and resources. The protection granted by Plant Variety Rights will then last only a set period of time, which for your most successful varieties may seem short. In addition, PVR protection can be lost for a number of reasons. This seminar aims at illustrating ways to maintain a revenue stream after your variety is no longer protected as a PVR, looking at the most common licensing schemes and their limitations, as well as at alternative revenue sources and relevant case law.
Carolina Cordero di Vonzo is a Senior Manager in the IP Advisory team of Baker McKenzie’s Italy offices. She runs the Plant Variety Protection unit for Baker McKenzie Italy. She earned a double Bachelor degree in law from the University of Turin (Italy) and the University Paris V (France), a Masters’ Degree in law from the University of Turin (Italy) and a Master of Laws in IT and IP Law from the University of Hong Kong. She has a broad experience in all aspects of Intellectual Property and unfair competition law with a specific focus on Plant Variety Rights. Carolina guides companies in the agribusiness sector on plant variety registration, commercialisation and enforcement strategies in Italy and the EU. She drafts and negotiates agreements relevant for the industry such as growers, nursery and propagation, research and development, trial, licensing agreements. Prior to joining Baker McKenzie, Carolina served as in-house counsel to a manufacturing group headquartered in Hong Kong, heading the IP team responsible for APAC, EMEA and LATAM.
14:30 – 15:00 – Networking Coffee Break
15:00 – 16:15
How to set up and handle an effective Customs Enforcement for PBRs
Speakers: Alexandra Sapir, Grapa Varieties and Giacomo Moleri, Spheriens Avvocati
Setting up an effective customs protection program is the first step in the effective enforcement of PBRs.
Enforcing these rights before Customs requires particular knowledge of the legislation and of the local practices. In the panel, we will discuss the issue from the point of view of both an IP owner and a counsel, with practical pieces of advice and suggestions taken from real-life cases.
From her previous role as Grapa’s Legal Affairs Director which she held for more than nine years, Alex took the role of Chief Operating and Legal Affairs Officer at Grapa as of January, 2023. She holds a B.A. in Law and a Master’s in Business Administration. As of October 2020, Alex was also appointed the Chair of the Working Group on Enforcement of CIOPORA.
Giacomo handles mainly extrajudicial matters and has extensive experience in the protection of intellectual property rights, with focus on the Internet. He assists clients in domain name dispute resolutions and in protecting their intangible assets on all digital platforms. Giacomo also manages anticounterfeiting programs, both domestically and internationally, and handles administrative proceedings before the Italian PTO (Patent and Trademark Office).
Giacomo has worked for Siblegal, now Spheriens, since its foundation in 2009 and became a partner of the firm in 2017. Before, he worked for the consulting firm Società Italiana Brevetti.
Giacomo regularly holds lessons at the Master course in Luxury Goods Management – EMLUX organized by the Università Cattolica of Milan . He serves also as chair of the Programming Subcommittee of the Brands for a Better Society of INTA (International Trademark Association).
16:15 – 16:45 – Networking Coffee Break
16:45 – 18:00
The road to digitalization: Insights for the movement of plants and plant products
Speaker: Rose Souza Richards, ISF (Seed Health Manager) – online
In this presentation, we’ll delve into the exciting and transformative journey of digitalization within the realm of plant and plant products movement, with a specific focus on the ePhyto system. We’ll explore key insights into how digital technologies, including ePhyto, are revolutionizing the way we manage, monitor, and optimize the movement of plants and plant products across various sectors. Throughout this session, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the benefits and challenges associated with digitalization, discovering innovative solutions, and emerging technologies like ePhyto that are shaping the international movement of plant and plant product.
Rose Souza Richards joined ISF in March 2020 as the Seed Health Manager. Rose is the key point person for the international seed industry with the International Plant Protection Convention, and responsible for the coordination of an industry-wide response to WTO notifications on proposed changes to national phytosanitary regulations.
Also, Rose is Chair of the ePhyto Industry Advisory Group (IAG).
She manages, develops, and promotes existing ISF activities such as the Systems Approach, the Regulated Pest List Initiative, and the International Seed Health Initiative.
Rose has spent the last five and a half years working at the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) in New Zealand. Rose has a BSc in Agronomic Engineering from the State University of Bahia, Brazil, an MSc in Plant Pathology from the Federal University of Viçosa, Brazil, a second MSc in Plant Diversity from the University of Reading, UK and a PhD in Plant Molecular Virology from the University of Nottingham, UK.
The ciopora academy 2023: IN-Person worKshop in Hong Kong About This Event We are delighted to announce that The CIOPORA Academy is hosting it’s first workshop in Hong Kong! This event is designed to provide in-depth knowledge and practical insights into the world of plant …
The ciopora academy 2023: IN-Person worKshop in Alexandria (VA), usa About This Event We are delighted to announce that The CIOPORA Academy is hosting a workshop in Alexandria, USA! This event is designed to provide in-depth knowledge and practical insights into the world of plant …
We are happy to be back in Amsterdam with a full-day workshop hosted by The CIOPORA Academy, the world’s first educational program focused solely on Intellectual Property protection and rights in the horticultural industry.
The main objective of this workshop is to provide participants, especially from the ornamental sector, with a sound understanding of the main principles of IP in horticulture, ranging from general and country-specific PBR, over IP portfolio management to enforcement. The small group learning environment is conducive to interactive learning, so questions are encouraged.
November 8, 2022
CIOPORA Academy Workshop
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Dinner Venue: TBA
Workshop Venue: Vondst Advocaten
De Lairessestraat 111-115
1075 HH Amsterdam
As a foreign entity doing business in the Netherlands, CIOPORA is involved with the Dutch VAT regulations. Having said that, our ticket sales to
companies and their employees is subject to collecting 21% VAT. After the event, CIOPORA shall declare all income at the Dutch tax authorities. Exception: If our customer is a business established in the Netherlands, the VAT is reverse charged to the person receiving the service. Therefore, participants whose company is established in the Netherlands, are not charged VAT by CIOPORA. Please use the button: “Dutch attendees tickets”.
We would be happy to welcome you to our traditional CIOPORA Academy dinner, which provides valuable networking opportunities with your colleagues and friends of the horticultural world in a relaxed atmosphere.
19:00 – Networking Dinner (Location TBA)
*Not included in workshop ticket
08:30 – 09:00 – Arrival & Registration at Vondst Advocaten
09:00 – 10:15
101 on Contracts and PBR License Agreements in China (online presentation)
Speakers: Alanna Rennie & Andrew Sim, Baker McKenzie
This lecture will explore the fundamentals of contracts in China, specifically around PBR licensing agreements, exploring practical considerations important for commercialization and some common misunderstandings and oversights by foreign parties. We will also review the standard but important boilerplate sections that should always be included in the agreement.
Alanna Rennie is an Associate at law firm Baker McKenzie in Sydney (Australia), where she practices Mergers and Acquisitions and plant Intellectual Property. She graduated with a Bachelor of Laws with honors from Bond University, Gold Coast, and a Masters in Chinese Law from Tsinghua University, Beijing. Alanna’s Master’s thesis was on Plant Breeder’s Rights in China, where she engaged closely with China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the State Forestry and Grasslands Administration, international plant breeders active in or looking to enter the Chinese market, and other stakeholders. Alanna worked with CIOPORA in 2018, where she assisted the association with its activities in China, and continues to assist CIOPORA on various projects in Australia and China in a pro bono capacity. In her capacity at Baker McKenzie and through her work with CIOPORA, Alanna has worked closely with breeding companies on their commercial and intellectual property strategies in China and Australia as well as on novel enforcement issues.
Andrew Sim is a partner in Baker McKenzie’s Hong Kong office and a member of the Firm’s Intellectual Property and Technology Practice Group, where he leads the IP enforcement and litigation practice for Hong Kong.
He is the Global Chair of the Plant Variety Rights Practice, which includes registration and enforcement of plant breeders’ rights. Andrew also heads the Food and Beverage (F&B) Industry Practice Group in the Greater China region and advises on all F&B related areas, including consumer, regulatory, food safety, advertisements, franchising as well as internet laws, and regulations.
10:15 – 10:45 – Networking coffee break
10:45 – 12:00
Two years after Brexit – An update on the IP Rights and supply chain in the agribusiness space
Speakers: Carolina Cordero di Vonzo and Tanvi Shah, Baker McKenzie
Brexit has led to a renewed importance of UK PVRs for agricultural companies doing business in the UK – with particular consequences for those with operations in the EU as well. During this session, Tanvi Shah and Carolina Cordero di Vonzo from Baker McKenzie will discuss how the UK PVR regime has developed in the two years that have passed since Brexit, the key differences between EU and UK PVRs, and what agribusinesses need to know in light of Brexit.
Our speakers will also explore the impact of Brexit on other relevant IP rights – i.e. patents and trademarks – and provide an overview of related developments post-Brexit affecting supply chains in the agricultural sector, specifically exhaustion of PVR and other IP rights and new EU and UK legislation tackling unfair trading practices in the agricultural supply chain.
Carolina Cordero di Vonzo is a Senior Manager in the IP Advisory team of Baker McKenzie’s Italy offices. She runs the Plant Variety Protection unit for Baker McKenzie Italy. She earned a double Bachelor degree in law from the University of Turin (Italy) and the University Paris V (France), a Masters’ Degree in law from the University of Turin (Italy) and a Master of Laws in IT and IP Law from the University of Hong Kong. She has a broad experience in all aspects of Intellectual Property and unfair competition law with a specific focus on Plant Variety Rights. Carolina guides companies in the agribusiness sector on plant variety registration, commercialisation and enforcement strategies in Italy and the EU. She drafts and negotiates agreements relevant for the industry such as growers, nursery and propagation, research and development, trial, licensing agreements. Prior to joining Baker McKenzie, Carolina served as in-house counsel to a manufacturing group headquartered in Hong Kong, heading the IP team responsible for APAC, EMEA and LATAM.
Senior Associate and Solicitor-Advocate, Baker McKenzie, UK
Tanvi is a Senior Associate and Solicitor-Advocate in Baker McKenzie’s London Intellectual Property team, having joined the firm in August 2016. She has particular expertise in patents and is recognised by the Legal 500 as a key lawyer in the UK for Patents (Contentious and Non-Contentious).
During her career Tanvi has also gained in-house experience having been seconded for a year to the in-house R&D legal team of a global pharmaceutical company, focused on providing legal support for clinical trials across Europe, and for three months (on a pro bono basis) to Cancer Research UK’s legal team.
Prior to becoming a solicitor Tanvi obtained an MSc degree in Chemistry from Imperial College London and carried out research in the field of biophysical chemistry at the Ludwig-Maximilians Universität, Munich (Germany).
While Tanvi has broad experience advising on the full spectrum of IP rights across a variety of industries, her practice now focuses on patents. She also leads the London office’s plant variety rights team.
12:00 – 13:15 – Networking lunch
13:15 – 14:30
Cost-effective strategies to enforce PVRs and other plant related rights
Speaker: Tjeerd Overdijk, Vondst Advocaten
During this session, the speaker will walk you through a multitude of issues to be addressed when you need to take enforcement action, with an emphasis on solid pre-trial measures and preparations.
How to collect proof of infringement? What are effective ways to address an infringer and persuade him to enter into a pre-trial compromise?
This session will also provide guidance in regard to a variety of practical issues surrounding litigation and sound preparation, all with a view to doing it in a cost-effective way. Based on his longstanding and wide experience the speaker will be keen to spark a practical and hopefully interactive discussion of all relevant aspects involved with enforcement action, both out of court and in the courts.
Partner, Vondst Advocaten, the Netherlands
Tjeerd Overdijk studied Law at Leiden University and has been a lawyer since 1984. With over 25 years of experience, he is an all-rounder in the field of Intellectual Property with a special interest in Plant Variety Rights. He was involved in the world’s first court case on the concept of Essentially Derived Varieties (EDVs) and he has gained considerable experience on this subject. He also has experience with litigation before the Board of Appeal of the Community Plant Variety Office in Angers, France. Tjeerd is a member of various professional associations, including CIOPORA, the Netherlands Copyright Association, the AIPPI, INTA, MARQUES and the European Communities Trademarks Association (ECTA).
14:30 – 15:00 – Networking Coffee Break
15:00 – 16:15
How vain, without the merit, is the name – Variety Denominations and Trademarks
Speaker: Thomas Leidereiter, Green Rights
At first glance, trademarks and variety denominations seem to protect the same thing. So why should one decide to apply for trademark protection for a trade name in addition to variety protection? These and numerous other questions on the “right” designation of breeding innovations are addressed in this course. The focus is on the economically successful combination of the available IP rights and on avoiding unnecessary and ultimately expensive mistakes.
Thomas Leidreiter is an attorney and the owner of Green Rights in Hamburg, Germany. With nearly two decades’ experience as a specialized IP lawyer, including 14 years at a major German law firm and five years at his own, he has extensive expertise covering Plant Variety Protection, trademarks, designs, copyright and competition law. Thomas advises clients on all aspects of IP protection for plant innovations, including the licensing and enforcement of IP rights. He has been involved in a number of major court cases dealing with fundamental PVR issues in the ornamental and fruit sector. Thomas is a member of INTA, the German Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (GRUR), CIOPORA and CIOPORA Germany. He is a regular speaker on IP topics with several associations and institutions.
16:15 – 16:45 – Networking Coffee Break
16:45 – 18:00
Live after PVR: How to maintain Licensing Revenues post-PVR
Speaker: Ernst-Jan Louwers, Louwers IP|Technology Advocaten
Developing new plant varieties involves considerable investments in terms of time and resources. Once granted, PVR protection will last only for a limited period of time which may seem short for successful varieties. In addition, PVR protection can be lost for a number of reasons. Ernst-Jan Louwers will discuss ways to maintain a revenue stream even after the variety is no longer protected under a PVR, looking at the most common licensing schemes and their limitations, as well as at alternative revenue sources and relevant case law.
With a track record of over 35 years as a Dutch lawyer, Ernst-Jan has a vast experience as a specialized IP, technology and contract lawyer and litigator. After 20 years in a large law firm, he started the IP and technology boutique firm Louwers IP|Technology Advocaten in 2006. His practice covers IP and commercial aspects of plant breeding, distribution, commercialization, and enforcement. This includes drafting of licensing contracts, (strategic) advice, compliance, arbitration, and litigation. He is a lawyer member to CIOPORA and the CIOPORA Working Group on Enforcement. Among others he is member to the Dutch plant breeders association Plantum as well as several national and international associations on IP and enforcement. Ernst-Jan is also a listed arbitrator at the Netherlands Arbitration Institute (NAI).
The ciopora academy 2022: worKshop in Madrid, Spain About This Event We are happy to be back in Madrid for a third time with a full-day workshop hosted by The CIOPORA Academy, the world’s first educational program focused solely on Intellectual Property protection and rights …
Save the Date for our Next CIOPORA Academy ! We’re excited to announce that the next CIOPORA Academy is returning on September 5th, 2023 with an in-person workshop in Hong Kong. This workshop will take place one day prior to Asia Fruit Logistica. Don’t miss …
The CIOPORA Academy comes back in 2022 with the first in-person workshop in two years!
On April 25, join our one-day in-person workshop in Cologne, Germany, during the CIOPORA Annual General Meeting (AGM) Week 2022.
April 25, 2022
9 AM – 6:15 PM CEST
Venue: Marriott Cologne
Johannisstraße 76-80
50668 Cologne
Accommodation:
Book a room at Marriot Cologne
Book a room at Courtyard by Marriott
Learn more about CIOPORA AGM 2022
This is a HYBRID event. Register for IN-PERSON Workshop tickets as well as ONLINE tickets here.
Important notice: Special Terms & Conditions apply to this event. This workshop is a part of the CIOPORA AGM Week program 2022.
* Subject to updates
08:30 – 09:00 – Arrival & registration
09:00 – 10:15
Updates on Enforcement of IP Rights in China
Speakers: Alanna Rennie & Andrew Sim, Baker McKenzie
This lecture will explore some of the legislative and judicial progress made to Plant Variety Rights in China over the last year, including amendments to China’s Seed Law, the Supreme People’s Court Judicial Interpretation on Plant Variety Rights, noteworthy enforcement cases, and some practical tips for enforcement action in China.
Alanna Rennie is an Associate at law firm Baker McKenzie in Sydney (Australia), where she practices Mergers and Acquisitions and plant Intellectual Property. She graduated with a Bachelor of Laws with honors from Bond University, Gold Coast, and a Masters in Chinese Law from Tsinghua University, Beijing. Alanna’s Master’s thesis was on Plant Breeder’s Rights in China, where she engaged closely with China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the State Forestry and Grasslands Administration, international plant breeders active in or looking to enter the Chinese market, and other stakeholders. Alanna worked with CIOPORA in 2018, where she assisted the association with its activities in China, and continues to assist CIOPORA on various projects in Australia and China in a pro bono capacity. In her capacity at Baker McKenzie and through her work with CIOPORA, Alanna has worked closely with breeding companies on their commercial and intellectual property strategies in China and Australia as well as on novel enforcement issues.
Andrew Sim is a partner in Baker McKenzie’s Hong Kong office and a member of the Firm’s Intellectual Property and Technology Practice Group, where he leads the IP enforcement and litigation practice for Hong Kong.
He is the Global Chair of the Plant Variety Rights Practice, which includes registration and enforcement of plant breeders’ rights. Andrew also heads the Food and Beverage (F&B) Industry Practice Group in the Greater China region and advises on all F&B related areas, including consumer, regulatory, food safety, advertisements, franchising as well as internet laws, and regulations.
10:15 – 10:45 – Networking coffee break
10:45 – 12:00
Comprehensive Measures against IP Infringements
Speaker: Philippe de Jong, Altius
Learn how to devise a comprehensive IP and regulatory EU enforcement strategy to protect your business, from trying to solve conflicts before they even arise, through pre-trial discovery and evidence collection, to actual litigation and its aftermath. With this toolkit in hand, your company will be harnessed for future anti-infringement actions under the various relevant European IP regimes.
Philippe is a Partner at Altius (Belgium) and specialises in Intellectual Property law, with a particular focus on Patents, Plant Variety Rights and parallel import issues. Philippe also has extensive experience in regulatory matters concerning the life sciences and agri-food industries. Other areas of practice include medical law, media law and fair trade practices in a variety of sectors.
Philippe regularly lectures at conferences and seminars and publishes articles in various leading legal journals relating to his area of expertise.
He has worked as a consultant for the EU Plant Variety Office and is also an active member of various lawyer and sector organisations, including: the European Patent Lawyers Association (EPLAW), Euroseeds, the Licensing Executives Society (LES), and the International Community of Breeders of Asexually Reproduced Horticultural Plants (CIOPORA).
12:00 – 13:30 – Networking lunch
13:30 – 14:45
Issues and Troubleshooting in the PBR Application Process at the CPVO
Speaker: Thomas Leidereiter, Green Rights
“Troubleshooting” is a process of fault identification in the management flow of a system or a corporation. The problem is initially described as a symptom of malfunction, and troubleshooting is the process of determining and remedying its causes.
Looking at (the Community) Plant Variety Rights applications, there is a surprisingly large number of pitfalls, the origin of which may be traced back to the time before the actual application filing. This presentation analyses different stages of a plant variety’s life cycle (before the actual breeding, the filing of the CPVR application, during the CPVR examination, as well as after the CPVR grant), identifying possible issues and available remedies. Following the “symptom – cause – remedy” logic, the participants will be trained to anticipate and remedy the problems in their practice.
Thomas Leidreiter is an attorney and the owner of Green Rights in Hamburg, Germany. With nearly two decades’ experience as a specialized IP lawyer, including 14 years at a major German law firm and five years at his own, he has extensive expertise covering Plant Variety Protection, trademarks, designs, copyright and competition law. Thomas advises clients on all aspects of IP protection for plant innovations, including the licensing and enforcement of IP rights. He has been involved in a number of major court cases dealing with fundamental PVR issues in the ornamental and fruit sector. Thomas is a member of INTA, the German Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (GRUR), CIOPORA and CIOPORA Germany. He is a regular speaker on IP topics with several associations and institutions.
14:45 – 15:15 – Networking Coffee Break
15:15 – 16:30
The Interplay between PVR and Patent Protection in Plant Breeding
Speaker: Fleur Tuinzing-Westerhuis, Houthoff
The Patent and PVR system overlap in the protection of plant breeding, but there are important differences. During this course, we will discuss the interplay between these two systems and we will touch upon the protection of Essentially Derived Varieties and the regime for compulsory dependency licenses.
Fleur Tuinzing-Westerhuis is a Counsel at Houtfoff (The Netherlands) and specializes in technology-related Intellectual Property matters, with focus on Patents and Plant Variety Rights. In her daily practice, Fleur represents a wide variety of domestic and international companies that are active in technology-intensive business sectors, such as agrifood and biotech. Fleur is an experienced patent litigator and is one of a handful of lawyers in the Netherlands with extensive experience in litigation relating to national and Community Plant Variety Rights. Over the past seventeen years, Fleur has litigated in various cases before the Dutch courts, the Dutch Board of Plant Varieties and the CPVO. Furthermore, Fleur has broad experience in advising on commercial contracts, including R&D agreements, license and technology transfer agreements.
16:30 – 17:00 – Networking Coffee Break
17:00 – 18:15
Effective Enforcement of the U.S. Plant IP Rights: Interplay between Scope, Exhaustion, License Terms, and Court Limitations
Speakers: Travis Bliss & Stephany Small, Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel
Unlike other countries, the U.S. provides breeders with multiple options for protecting novel plant varieties with differing scopes of protection and exhaustion and exemption limitations, all of which impact enforcement issues. The terms of the licenses entered into between breeders and growers provide additional variables that come into play when enforcing IP rights. In this session we will discuss the interplay between the scope of protection offered by the various IP rights, the related issues of exhaustion and exemptions that each brings, and the terms that can be effectively utilized in a license for such IP rights and examine how those impact certain enforcement issues and limitations of U.S. courts.
Travis Bliss counsels a variety of clients ranging from individual inventors to small businesses to Fortune 500 companies in nearly all aspects of Intellectual Property law. Travis prepares and prosecutes patent applications; litigates patent, Trademark, and other IP disputes in federal and state courts; represents clients before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Patent Trial and Appeal Board; counsels clients in a variety of IP issues, including due diligence, FTO, infringement, and patentability; and prepares and negotiates IP licenses. From a technology standpoint, Travis’s practice falls largely within the life sciences field and also includes a large focus on novel plant varieties in the agriculture, horticulture, and cannabis/hemp industries. Travis has been a lawyer member of CIOPORA since 2014.
Patent Agent
Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP
Stephany G. Small, Ph.D., is a Patent Agent at CIOPORA lawyer member Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP (USA). Stephany works with clients ranging from large life science companies to individual inventors to protect their valued Intellectual Property. She prepares and prosecutes the U.S. and foreign patent applications for inventions related to all aspects of life science. She is involved in FDA Orange Book submissions and Patent Term Extension Applications and also assists clients with preparing opinions relating to patentability and freedom to operate. Stephany collaborates in patent interferences and inter partes review proceedings before the U.S. Patent Office’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).
Next CIOPORA Academy – In-Person workshop in Cologne, April 25 ! After almost two-year continuous growth as an online education program on Intellectual Property for plants and breeding technologies, the CIOPORA Academy is gearing up for our first in-person workshop since 2019. Join us on …
