CIOPORA

CIOPORA CIOPORA - the International Community of Breeders of Asexually Reproduced Horticultural Plants The President is elected by the AGM for a period of three years.

For breeders, effective Intellectual Property (IP) Protection and its enforcement are essential - without strong protection there can be no innovation! The core activity of CIOPORA is to advocate for the development of effective IP protection systems for asexually reproduced ornamental and fruit varieties all over the world. Founded in 1961, CIOPORA represents breeders of vegetatively reproduced o

rnamental and fruit varieties, which hold the vast majority of all Plant Variety Rights worldwide. CIOPORA is the only non-governmental international organization of plant breeders that exclusively deals with IP matters. It enjoys the observer status in all bodies of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), as well as in Administrative Council of the Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO). CIOPORA operates under Swiss law and has its seat in Geneva, Switzerland. CIOPORA is governed by the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of its members which takes place once a year. The general management and control of the affairs and the assets of the association lies in the hands of the Board headed by the President of CIOPORA. The present President of CIOPORA is Mr. Andrea Mansuino. The administrative office of CIOPORA is headed by the Secretary General Dr. Edgar Krieger. It is located in Hamburg, Germany.

🔸We know the names of the chefs🔸We know the names of the architects🔸We know the names of the sports athletes But do we k...
16/06/2026

🔸We know the names of the chefs
🔸We know the names of the architects
🔸We know the names of the sports athletes

But do we know the names of the people who created what we eat and grow?

Plant breeders account for two-thirds of all Plant Variety Rights granted in the world. They develop the strawberries on your breakfast table, the roses at your partner's doorstep, the fruit trees that take a decade to produce their first harvest.

They work in fields and greenhouses, not on stages. They measure success in seasons, not quarters.

None of it exists without the quiet, persistent work of breeders.

At CIOPORA, we've been their voice since 1961. We believe the people who shape what grows in this world deserve to be known and protected. 🌿

Which breeder or variety has had the biggest impact for you?

28/05/2026

Exactly one month ago, another edition of the CIOPORA AGM came to an end. During one week, breeders, experts, and industry leaders came together in the beautiful ALICANTE CITY to discuss the challenges and opportunities in breeding innovation and protection.

This video captures the spirit of that week: a space filled with conversations, meaningful discussions, shared learning, and a common passion for breeding new plant varieties and ensuring strong protection for breeders worldwide.

We would once again like to thank all our members, participants, guests, and speakers for joining us and making this event so special.

📍 Save the date: CIOPORA AGM 2027 in Japan! 🇯🇵
https://www.addevent.com/event/69r2nrj25pw7

Share this video and help us bring more people into the mission of supporting innovation and protecting plant breeders’ rights worldwide.

Welcome to the CIOPORA AGM 2026, Alicante! A strong start to the CIOPORA AGM 2026 with the CIOPORA Academy Workshop.From...
22/04/2026

Welcome to the CIOPORA AGM 2026, Alicante!

A strong start to the CIOPORA AGM 2026 with the CIOPORA Academy Workshop.

From antitrust implications in plant licensing to DNA evidence in enforcement and new EU rules on gene-edited plants, the discussions reflected the growing complexity and importance of intellectual property in plant breeding.

Beyond the sessions, it was great to see our community Learn, Share, and Connect during the week's first moments.

Looking forward to the upcoming activities!

How can plant breeders better protect innovation in a changing IP landscape?At the CIOPORA AGM 2026 in Alicante, this qu...
26/03/2026

How can plant breeders better protect innovation in a changing IP landscape?

At the CIOPORA AGM 2026 in Alicante, this question will take center stage during our Public Conference: “Protecting Innovation in Plant Breeding: An Integrated IP Approach.”

Hosted at the EUIPO - European Union Intellectual Property Office - EUIPO, the conference will bring together experts to explore how different intellectual property tools can work together to provide stronger, more effective protection for breeders.

🎤 Keynote speaker:
We are honored to welcome Prof. Dr. Joseph Straus, one of the most influential people in intellectual property law, as our keynote speaker. With a distinguished career at the Max Planck Institute and leading academic institutions worldwide, Prof. Dr. Straus has shaped global discussions on patents, innovation, and technology transfer.

In his keynote, he will dive into the role of patents in modern plant breeding, offering valuable insights into how legal frameworks can support (or limit) innovation in the sector.

📌 He will also contribute to our Enforcement & IP Symposium, addressing a key topic for breeders today: harvested material and the ongoing discussions within the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV).

Don't miss this conversation about innovations in plant breeding, the protection of these developments, and what the future holds.

09/03/2026

We are pleased to welcome Prevar to the CIOPORA global network!

Based in , Prevar leads innovative breeding programs for pipfruit varieties, developed on behalf of the New Zealand and Australian industries. Their work reflects years of investment in developing high-quality, resilient apple and pear varieties that deliver value across the global horticultural supply chain.

As Tony Martin explains: “As Prevar’s varieties are increasingly planted internationally, being connected to the CIOPORA network helps ensure we remain aligned with global standards and contribute to the ongoing development of the international breeding community.”

By joining CIOPORA, Prevar strengthens its engagement with the global community working to protect innovation in plant breeding, advance best practices in variety protection and licensing, and support the continued development of new varieties for growers and consumers worldwide.

Please join us in welcoming Prevar to the CIOPORA network! 🌱

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05/03/2026

We are proud to continue celebrating 10 years of the CIOPORA Academy at this year’s CIOPORA AGM Workshop in Alicante. Our workshop program brings together top global experts to explore the most relevant legal and innovation trends shaping the future of plant breeding.

In this session, we will revisit the German Federal Court of Justice’s landmark “Erntegut” (X ZR 70/22) ruling and its interpretation of the cascade principle under Article 13(3) of the CPVR Regulation. Participants will gain clarity on how the Court interpreted authorization, reasonable opportunity, and the “earliest possible point” where breeders must enforce their rights in the value chain.

The session will also show how this decision directly influenced the recent UPOV expert report on harvested material, now paving the way for future UPOV Explanatory Notes.

Finally, Thomas will discuss the practical implications for licensing in ornamentals and fruits, especially in long, complex supply chains where economic value often arises far downstream.

Thomas Leidereiter, brings more than 25 years of experience in commercial and IP law, with a deep specialization in the green sector since 2004. He manages over 1,300 trademarks in horticulture and advises breeders worldwide on enforcement, licensing, branding, and integrated marketing/IP systems. Thomas is consistently recognized among Germany’s “Best Lawyers®” in IP and co-represents CIOPORA in the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) Working Group on Harvested Material. A leading authority in PBR enforcement, he brings unmatched practical and legal insight to this session.

05/03/2026

As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the CIOPORA Academy, our CIOPORA AGM Workshop continues to deliver high-value insights for breeders, IP professionals, and industry leaders who drive innovation in horticulture.

In her session, Dr. Brigitte Hidding provides a big-picture explanation of how companies can structure and manage IP assets, such as plant variety rights and trademarks, across international operations. She will walk us through how IP ownership can be organized within corporate groups, how royalties flow across borders, and how tax treaties and documentation standards help prevent double taxation. Participants will also gain clarity on when withholding taxes apply and how thoughtful contract drafting can reduce operational frictions in global licensing.

Dr. Brigitte Hidding is an attorney and tax advisor focusing on international tax and IP‑related structuring at the interface of tax and law. With professional experience in Germany, Canada, and the United States, she brings a strong international understanding of transaction tax, IP‑driven ownership models, and royalty frameworks. She brings clarity to complex cross‑border tax and IP issues, offering audiences concise insights that matter.

We’re excited to share our new article in the latest FloraCulture International (FCI) edition — a special issue dedicate...
25/11/2025

We’re excited to share our new article in the latest FloraCulture International (FCI) edition — a special issue dedicated entirely to plant breeders’ protection. 🌱✨

Inside, we cover:
• The latest UPOV discussions on harvested material
• CIOPORA’s work to modernize and streamline PBR systems
• What’s ahead for the 2026 CIOPORA AGM in Alicante

If you care about plant innovation, climate-ready varieties, and strong IP systems, this is a great read.

📖 Read our full article: https://www.flipsnack.com/aiphglobal/floraculture-international-november-2025/full-view.html?p=12

🌐 And be sure to explore the full FCI edition dedicated to breeders’ rights!

What an incredible two days in Madrid!The CIOPORA Midterm Meeting 2025 brought together breeders, IP experts, and indust...
26/09/2025

What an incredible two days in Madrid!

The CIOPORA Midterm Meeting 2025 brought together breeders, IP experts, and industry leaders from all over the world. Beyond the inspiring keynotes and panel discussions, the best part was the chance to meet, connect, and share ideas with our global community.

A big thank you to everyone who joined us – your energy and passion made this gathering truly special.

📍 Next stop: CIOPORA AGM 2026 in Alicante – see you there!
👉 https://www.ciopora.org/ciopora-agm2026-alicante

✨ Faces of CIOPORA EVENTS ✨Every year, the CIOPORA Family gathers at events where breeders, IP experts, and industry sta...
20/08/2025

✨ Faces of CIOPORA EVENTS ✨
Every year, the CIOPORA Family gathers at events where breeders, IP experts, and industry stakeholders come together to:

🌱 Share knowledge
🤝 Build lasting connections
💡 Turn ideas into action

Because protecting innovation isn’t just about laws and frameworks — it’s about the people who dedicate their work to making plant breeding thrive. And at CIOPORA, we’re proud to have so many shining examples of this commitment.

🌍 Here, the future of horticultural innovation is being written.
👉 Tag a colleague who should be part of our journey!

📍 Next stop: Madrid!
🔹 September 25–26 — CIOPORA Midterm Meeting https://www.ciopora.org/midterm-meeting
🔹 September 29 — CIOPORA Academy
https://www.ciopora-academy.org/05-04-2025-the-ciopora-academy-workshop-madrid-2025/

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Deichstrasse 29
Hamburg
20459

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Montag 09:00 - 17:30
Dienstag 09:00 - 17:30
Mittwoch 09:00 - 17:30
Donnerstag 09:00 - 17:30
Freitag 09:00 - 17:00

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