The introduction of the Plant Breeder's Rights (PBR) Act 1994 in Australia was intended to enable breeding programs to generate financial returns from new varieties and to encourage the flow of international genetic material into Australia. Seednet supports an End Point Royalty structure as the most appropriate mechanism to contain seed prices and generate financial returns to breeders and their commercialising partners from new varieties.
Seednet has adopted an industry standard Variety License Agreement. The industry standard Variety License consists of a standard agreement as the body of the license plus schedules detailing the varieties, EPR rates and any special terms and conditions. A copy of the license is available from the place of purchase or via this website
Key elements of Seednets' current seed licencing arrangements include:
- Each time a grower purchases seed, the grower simultaneously enters into a licence with Seednet on the Seednet Variety License
- A grower does not need to sign the Seed Variety Licence, as the grower is taken to agree to the licence terms and conditions at the point of sale.
- A copy of the Seednet Variety License will be made available at the point of sale.
The Seed Variety License terms and conditions apply to all purchases of Seednet Varieties purchased during that season. Therefore, it is important that growers are fully aware of all the terms and conditions associated with the purchase of a Seednet variety.
The key points of the Seed Variety License include:
- A Seednet Variety can only be purchased from Seednet or a Seednet Partner approved retailer.
- Seednet Varieties are protected under the Plant Breeders Rights Act (1994).
- End Point Royalty is payable on all harvested grain production (except seed retained by grower for re-planting).
- No grower to grower trading of Seednet Varieties is allowed.
- Licence obligations are enduring.