What is the UPOV Convention?

This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice.

The UPOV Convention, or International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants, is an international agreement that provides intellectual property protection for plant breeders. According to the MPEP, The International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (generally known by its French acronym as “UPOV Convention”) was adopted on December 2, 1961, by a Diplomatic Conference held in Paris. It has been revised several times to reflect technological advancements in plant breeding.