Dealers have a responsibility to Seed Companies
SIPA, as a dealer, what can I do? I sell other peoples seed intellectual property!
By Eloy Corona, Executive Director of the Seed Innovation and Protection Alliance
SIPA, as a dealer, what can I do? I sell other peoples’ seed intellectual property!
Okay, it’s true SIPA has made the rounds and has gotten the word out about best management practices and internal education for its members. You have to have your bases covered before you can take the next step which is education for seed dealers and retailers.
How can a dealer who doesn’t have their own patents or PVPs help with potential seed infringement matters? Dealers may sell themselves short if they forget that they do have their own intellectual property, such as company logos and brands, customer lists, price sheets and internal know how. Additionally they have a vested interest in selling new, professionally handled seed; otherwise it becomes a lost sale. So the question begs: what can a dealer do to encourage growers who are buying new, professionally handled or certified seed?
Dealer/retail salespersons should know what to look for and what to do in case they come across seed related matters that seem too good to be true. Inconsistent seed usage that doesn’t reconcile with seed purchases, program practices that are too good to be true, seed products that are not performing to expected results, or unauthorized use of a protected brand/name are telltale signs to look for when combing the countryside.
What else can I do? Once you have some information about an individual or entity that has stepped over the line and created an unequal playing field for growers, it is imperative that someone be alerted. Now this can take the shape of passing information on to your local seed company sales/technical representative. It could also involve using a company hotline if there happens to be one. There is also a new alternative for all members of the seed industry…namely the Seed Innovation Protection Alliance (SIPA) hotline, 1-844 SEEDTIP (844-733-3847) which is both confidential and anonymous.
SIPA is a 100 member strong organization charged with providing a unified voice on education and best management practices around U.S. seed sector intellectual property (see www.seedipalliance.com).
When providing any potential seed infringement information, it is important to provide as many specific details as possible so that the appropriate parties can look into the matter. Examples include what crop(s), brand(s) and/or variety(ies), locations, parties involved and a brief explanation as to why it is a potential infringement. When specifics are provided, the follow-up is much more efficient and timely.
Innovation, particularly in the U.S. seed sector, is an expensive and time intensive endeavor to the tune of $1-7M and 7-18 years for a new variety, $5M+ for a hybrid and/or $136M and 13 years for a new trait1. Maintaining a level playing field is critical to ensure companies continue to invest in their research and development efforts. One can only look to see how far we’ve come in the development of crops such as teosinte to corn, 8 vegetables from one wild mustard (http://www.businessinsider.com/brassica-oleracea-broccoli-kale-brussels-sprouts-2017-5 ) and their origins, impact of trade and caloric intakes of a global village (http://blog.ciat.cgiar.org/origin-of-crops/ ).
Due to the investment by many seed companies (15-28% of revenue or ~$3B/year in US) and the loving devotion of breeders, agronomists, and all accompanying R&D contributors, DO YOUR PART and support the SIPA Seed IP “Neighborhood Watch”… your customers will appreciate and thank you for keeping a level playing field and ensuring a pipeline of seed technologies!
- CropLife International. “Investments in Plant Science.” Website, 3/3/2017.
- Khoury, Colin, Achicanoy, Harold, et al. “Where Our Foods Come F” International Center for Tropical Agriculture. Version 1.0(may 2016).
SeedWorld 2018 reprint with their permission.
For more seed care innovation tips, click here.