Turkmenistan New Law on Plant Variety Protection

The law regulating the protection of plant varieties came into force in Turkmenistan on August 13, 2011.

This is a brand new legislation. Up to now, Turkmenistan had no laws in the field of plant variety protection with the exception of the Ministry of Agriculture’s internal by-laws regulating breeding activities.

The new law introduces a 30-year protection of animal breeds and either 25- or 30-year protection of plant varieties depending on their kind.

According to the law, a preliminary examination and an examination of an application on its merits precede the issuing of a patent.

In order to be registered, a variety should have characteristics such as novelty, homogeneity, stability and distinctiveness.

The law also prescribes compulsory licenses for the registered varieties.

For more information, please contact Yuriy Karlash at our Ukraine office.

Source: Turkmenistan government website