Intellectual Property Rights; Challenges for the Future.

Practical application of intellectual property rights (IPR) in plant breeding is essential to allow innovation by the private sector and delivery on farms of improved varieties. IPR is also used by the public sector to stimulate innovation and to help ensure delivery of improved quality seed on farms. IPR, especially in the field of plant breeding is the subject of heated debate, myths, and mis-truths. For example, who are the major beneficiaries of effective IPR and what constitutes a sustainable system of IPR? Global implementation of IPR is a patchwork of continuing change. Possible paths for the future development of IPR in plant breeding are discussed.