The Netherlands
February 1, 2017
Bejo and Rijk Zwaan have signed an agreement for the exchange of non-exclusive licenses for patented traits in vegetables. This exchange will enable the two vegetable breeding companies to strengthen their innovative capacities and introduce improved varieties more quickly.
Using each other’s innovations
Under the agreement, the parties provide each other the right to use plant material that falls under the scope of several of their patents for both breeding and commercial purposes in vegetables. The agreement thus increases the possibilities for both companies to develop new and improved vegetable varieties by making use of each other’s innovations. The agreement establishes a full breeders’ exemption between the parties for such patents, as exists under the worldwide plant breeders’ right system. Both companies feel strongly that patents on traits must not limit innovation, and that this full breeders’ exemption should apply as much as possible in the relation between both companies.
International Licensing Platform
Earlier, in September 2016, Rijk Zwaan announced that it had reached an extensive cross-licensing agreement with Syngenta. Rijk Zwaan, Syngenta and Bejo are all founding members of the International Licensing Platform Vegetable (ILP). The ILP makes vegetable-related innovations widely available to breeders through an open access approach that offers members access to patents on traits under fair and reasonable conditions. The ILP currently has 13 members and is open for new seed companies and public research institutes to join.
John-Pieter Schipper, director of Bejo, said: “With this agreement in combination with the ILP, Rijk Zwaan and Bejo have restored the full breeders’ exemption between them. We strongly believe that open access to genetics will contribute to long-term preservation of biodiversity and food security. At the same time this agreement strengthens the innovative capacity of both companies, which will ultimately benefit the market.”
Ben Tax, director of Rijk Zwaan, commented: “This agreement enables us to use each other's plant varieties for breeding purposes, even in cases where the plant material falls under the scope of a patent, and then to market the newly developed varieties. This is a clear win-win deal and one that is excellent for growers and consumers. Open innovation in breeding is essential for the global food supply.”
About Bejo
Bejo is a leading family company in the breeding, production, processing and sales of quality vegetable seeds. With an assortment of 50 crops and more than 1,200 varieties, Bejo offers a complete programme for all markets and a wide variety of climates. Bejo seeds find their way to more than 100 countries through a global network of Bejo companies and dedicated distributors. Over 1,700 employees work to provide the best possible service and quality.
About Rijk Zwaan
Rijk Zwaan develops vegetable varieties and produces seeds, which it sells in more than 100 countries. The family-owned company is amongst the top five in the global vegetable seed market and is characterised by a people-focused approach. More than 2,600 employees in over 30 countries work enthusiastically to provide products and services that add value for the market. The company has its headquarters in De Lier, The Netherlands.
Bejo en Rijk Zwaan sluiten licentiedeal voor eigenschappen in groenten
Bejo en Rijk Zwaan hebben een overeenkomst getekend voor de uitwisseling van niet-exclusieve licenties voor geoctrooieerde eigenschappen in groenten. De groenteveredelingsbedrijven kunnen daarmee hun innovatieve capaciteit versterken en sneller verbeterde rassen introduceren.
Middels deze overeenkomst verschaffen de partijen elkaar de mogelijkheid om plantmateriaal dat onder de reikwijdte van verschillende octrooien van hen valt, te gebruiken voor veredeling en commerciële doeleinden in groenten. De overeenkomst vergroot hiermee de mogelijkheden voor beide bedrijven om nieuwe en verbeterde groenterassen te ontwikkelen door gebruik te maken van elkaars innovaties. De overeenkomst voorziet tussen de partijen in een volledige veredelingsvrijstelling voor diverse octrooien, zoals die in het internationale kwekersrecht bestaat. Beide bedrijven zijn ervan overtuigd dat vermeden moet worden dat octrooien op planteigenschappen de innovatie beperken en willen dan ook graag dat deze volledige veredelingsvrijstelling zo veel mogelijk van toepassing is tussen beide bedrijven.
International Licensing Platform
September 2016 maakte Rijk Zwaan al bekend een uitgebreide kruislicentie-overeenkomst voor eigenschappen in groenten te hebben getekend met Syngenta. Rijk Zwaan, Syngenta en Bejo behoren alle drie tot de oprichters van het International Licensing Platform Vegetable (ILP). Het ILP maakt innovaties in groenten breed beschikbaar voor veredelaars middels een “open access”-benadering die leden tegen eerlijke en redelijke voorwaarden toegang biedt tot octrooien op eigenschappen in groenten. Het ILP heeft op dit moment 13 leden en staat open voor deelname van nieuwe zaadbedrijven en publieke onderzoeksinstellingen.
John-Pieter Schipper, directeur van Bejo: “Met deze overeenkomst in combinatie met het ILP hebben Rijk Zwaan en Bejo de volledige veredelingsvrijstelling onderling hersteld. Wij zijn ervan overtuigd dat vrije toegang tot genetica bijdraagt aan behoud van biodiversiteit en de voedselvoorziening op de lange termijn. Tevens draagt deze overeenkomst bij aan de innovatiekracht van beide bedrijven, wat uiteindelijk weer ten goede komt aan de markt.”
Ben Tax, directeur van Rijk Zwaan: "Deze overeenkomst stelt ons in staat om elkaars plantenrassen te gebruiken voor veredelingsdoeleinden, ook in het geval dat het plantmateriaal onder een octrooi valt, en vervolgens de nieuw ontwikkelde rassen te vermarkten. Dit is een duidelijke win-win overeenkomst én een overeenkomst die positief is voor telers en consumenten. Open innovatie in de veredeling is van essentieel belang voor de wereldwijde voedselvoorziening."
Bejo e Rijk Zwaan: nuovi brevetti su alcuni tratti varietali
Bejo e Rijk Zwaan hanno firmato un accordo per lo scambio di licenze non esclusive riguardo caratteri brevettati. Questo scambio consentirà alle due aziende sementiere di rafforzare le loro capacità di innovazione e di introdurre più rapidamente varietà migliorate.
Innovazione reciproca
In base all'accordo, le parti assicurano l'un l'altra il diritto di utilizzare materiale vegetale che rientra nell'ambito di applicazione di alcuni dei loro brevetti per scopi di ricerca e commercializzazione di sementi ortive. L'accordo aumenta così le possibilità per entrambe le società di sviluppare nuove e migliorate varietà ortive utilizzando le reciproche innovazioni. L'accordo prevede un'esenzione tra le parti per tali brevetti in virtù dei vigenti diritti di proprietà intellettuale a livello mondiale. Entrambe le società sostengono fermamente che i brevetti sui tratti genetici non devono limitare l'innovazione, e che si dovrebbe applicare quanto più possibile questa deroga nel rapporto tra le due società.
Piattaforma internazionale di licenze
Nel mese di settembre 2016, Rijk Zwaan ha annunciato di aver raggiunto un ampio accordo di cross-licensing con Syngenta. Rijk Zwaan, Syngenta e Bejo sono tutti membri fondatori dell'International Licensing Platform Vegetable (ILP). L'ILP rende fruibili ai ricercatori le innovazioni in materia vegetale attraverso un approccio aperto che offre ai membri la possibilità di accedere ai brevetti sui tratti a condizioni oneste e ragionevoli. L'ILP conta attualmente 13 membri ed è aperta ad accogliere l'adesione di nuove aziende produttrici di sementi e istituti di ricerca pubblici.
John-Pieter Schipper, Direttore di Bejo, ha dichiarato: "Con questo accordo, in combinazione con l'ILP, Rijk Zwaan e Bejo hanno ripristinato la deroga tra di loro. Siamo fermamente convinti che il libero accesso alla genetica contribuirà alla conservazione a lungo termine della biodiversità e la sicurezza alimentare. Allo stesso tempo, questo accordo rafforza la capacità innovativa di entrambe le aziende, di cui dopotutto, beneficia anche il mercato.
Ben Tax, Direttore di Rijk Zwaan, ha commentato: "Tale accordo ci permette di utilizzare le reciproche varietà ortive per la ricerca, anche nei casi in cui il materiale rientri nell'ambito di applicazione di un brevetto, e quindi di commercializzare le nuove varietà sviluppate. Questo è un chiaro accordo che va a vantaggio di entrambi ed è ottimale anche per gli agricoltori ed i consumatori. La libera innovazione nella selezione è essenziale per l'approvvigionamento alimentare a livello globale ".
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