Issues and challenges of changing IPR ambience in plant biotechnology

Abstract

Plant Biotechnology is entering into new amplitude as researchers and col-laborators throughout the world are manipulating the plant genome to rein-force desirable agricultural output. The focus is to improve the quality of produce to gratify human needs. In the present scenario, the stakeholders therefore, include the researchers, farmers, public and the Government. In India, the regulations to shape the new innovations are the Patents Act, 1970 and PPVFRA (Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act), 2001. Countries those were signatories of the World Trade Organization (WTO) also signed the TRIPS agreement which laid down the minimum regu-latory standards of IPR statutes by their member nations. The advances in Plant Biotechnology are being therefore, protected by both the acts. Howev-er, there are intricacies involved in working at the interface of law and the researches in Biotechnology. The present paper aims to highlight some of those issues and challenges being faced in the field of Plant Biotechnology especially in the light of Biodiversity Act, litigation of law as well as consoli-dation in the seed industries.