RE: Going to Rhizome Auction
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: RE: Going to Rhizome Auction
- From: "* M* <I*@msn.com>
- Date: Sat, 9 Aug 1997 09:52:32 -0600 (MDT)
Hi, Gavin, and welcome to the iris world! The registration and introduction
of iris works differently from almost all other plants--they are not covered
by copyright or variety protection certification. Instead, the way it works
seems calculated to encourage the widest possible distribution of a new
variety in the short time it is eligible for awards. In the case of a variety
protected by a patent, the only way a hybridizer could assure wide
distribution would be to spend a lot more than most of us would care to on
getting the plant to the public. With iris, growers are encouraged to grow
the new varieties and spread them far, and quickly. This isn't always
fair--some very good ones never get picked up by large enough growers to be
seen by the voting judges and public--but it usually works.
Barb in Santa Fe, still digging and planting, digging and planting
Zone 5, AIS region 23
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From: iris-l@rt66.com on behalf of Gavin Sills
Sent: Friday, August 08, 1997 9:15 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: RE: Going to Rhizome Auction
Hi folks. I am new to the iris world, but I make a living as a plant
breeder in vegetables. I see talk of iris auctions and mention of "last
year's introductions" being for sale. Technically speaking, is that
breaking the law to sell someone elses variety? I assumemost new
introductions are protected by a plant variety protection document, which
would prevent most folks from marketing them for 14 years.
Just curious.
Gavin Sills
Washington State Universtiy
