b'PROTECTING INNOVATIONSeed Innovations:How Far HaveWe Come in Vegetables & Flowers?COMMITMENT.Thats what you can expect from your local seed companies who invest anywhere from 15-30% of their sales into research and develop-ment. A seed company does this with the long-term view in creating a valuable seed business model for continued innovation in a $20.8 billion U.S. seed sector. You see, it takes anywhere from 7-16 years to commer-ELOY CORONA is thecialize a new vegetable variety/hybrid in todays envi-executive director ofronment even with todays new breeding techniquesSeed companies are also committed to ensur-the Seed Innovationwhich potentially can speed up the pipeline! But thising that their varieties are protected by the strongest and Protectionrequires the seed companys and your commitment. intellectual property protection. This benefits growers Alliance (SIPA). For each seed variety genetic traits provide desiredbecause only growers partnered with their seed com-characteristicsthink size, shape, flavors, along withpanies will have access to the newest and best varie-disease tolerance, higher yields and the like. These traitsties. Since the 2018 amendment of the Farm Bill added are durable and reproducible as a result of breedingmore Plant Variety Protections to include asexually and other research and development from the seedreproduced types, the strength of your seed compa-company. Seed companies continuously developnys intellectual property (IP) protections of vegetables to new seed varieties to meet market demands andand flowers has only grown. This beneficially allows customer requests. This research and development hasreinvestment into further research and development. provided unprecedented variety development.With all the exciting vegetable seed innovations in JILL N. LINKLook at how far plant breeding has brought us fromthe pipeline to meet growers needs as well as finicky is a patent attorneythe original crops! consumers, it should feel good to have seed partners and chair of the MVSthat are there right with you, listening to your needs Licensing Practiceand providing support as you begin each new crop!Group. Growers have a number of sources available to purchase seed. Buying from your authorized seed company or seed retailer that sells only new profession-ally produced seed or certified seed positions you and the seed industry to continue advancements through reinvestments in into research and development to meet your needs. Buying new professionally produced seed or certified seed ensures that IP protections are not violated. Simply put, purchasing seed that is not certified DANIEL KNAUSS(unless it is properly authorized) is against the law and it is IP litigation partnerhurts the seed industry by failing to protect the intellec-at Cooley LLP. tual property rights of the seed company.Your seed companies are committed to you. Seed company members of the Seed Innovation Protection Alliance (SIPA) thank you for your commitment to buy new professionally processed seed from authorized seed companies and seed dealers. To anonymously report seed or plant variety infringement, please call 1-844-SEED-TIP or visitwww.seedipalliance.com. SW50/ SEEDWORLD.COMFEBRUARY 2022'