West Grove, PA — Proven Winners Color Choice®, Encore® Azaleas, Endless Summer Collection®, First Editions®, The Knock Out® Family of Roses, Drift® Roses, and Southern Living® Plant Collection are pleased to announce that the Plant Watch® nursery inspection program aimed at protecting their plant patents and branded programs has completed another successful year. In 2013, over 250 inspections were carried out from New York to California and from Ohio to Louisiana.
“The repeated Plant Watch® visits show that we can clean up troubled areas where unauthorized propagation was rampant. Plant Watch® will continue inspecting these regions and others to support the growers who are respecting our investment in branding,” said Kip McConnell from Plant Development Services Inc. (PDSI) the developers of the Encore® azaleas brand and the Southern Living Collection.
Nurseries across the country have undergone an inspection by seasoned Plant Watch® representatives to see how growers meet the requirements of these branded programs and respecting the patents. It’s well known how expensive it is to establish a plant brand in our industry. Growers who comply with patent and branding requirements are at a disadvantage when infringers undercut prices. In order to support their network of compliant growers, Spring Meadow Nursery, Bailey Nurseries, Conard-Pyle, and Plant Development Services Inc. have used Plant Watch® services since 2011 to monitor and inspect nurseries and collect fines for unauthorized propagation where warranted.
Plant Watch® has a proven track record in the industry, and has successfully intervened with infringers to curtail their illegal activities more than eight years. According to Plant Watch® Managing Director, Peggy Walsh Craig, “Marketing new varieties helps consumers get excited about new plants and be more successful in beautifying their gardens. Taking care of the marketing investment requires an examination of where and how the brands are being used and propagation occurring. It’s only fair for all players.”
Nurseries found to be non-compliant are assessed a significant fine based on the number of unauthorized plants discovered, and the destruction of those plants is required. Growers are reminded that plant patents and Plant Breeders’ Rights are based on having permission to propagate. Ask before you propagate!
Source: Star® Roses and Plants/Conard-Pyle
