Title 7AgricultureRelease 119-73

§2357 Unauthorized practice

Title 7 › Chapter CHAPTER 57— - PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I— - PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION OFFICE › Part Part B— - Legal Provisions as to the Plant Variety Protection Office › § 2357

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

If someone in the United States practices before the Office of Plant Variety Protection while suspended, excluded, or without authorization, they must return any money they were paid and pay for harm they caused. A court can also stop them from practicing. They only avoid damage payments if they prove the work was done competently and without negligence. This does not apply to people who work under a supervising, authorized practitioner (and do not claim to be independent), or who were acting only for their regular employer.

Full Legal Text

Title 7, §2357

Agriculture — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Anyone who in the United States engages in direct or indirect practice before the Office of Plant Variety Protection while suspended or excluded under section 2356 of this title, or without being admitted to practice before the Office, shall be liable in a civil action for the return of all money received, and for compensation for damage done by such person and also may be enjoined from such practice. However, there shall be no liability for damage if such person establishes that the work was done competently and without negligence. This section does not apply to anyone who, without a claim of self-sufficiency, works under the supervision of another who stands admitted and is the responsible party; or to anyone who establishes that the person acted only on behalf of any employer by whom the person was regularly employed.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–349 substituted “the person” for “he” in two places in last sentence.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 1994 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 103–349 effective 180 days after Oct. 6, 1994, see section 15 of Pub. L. 103–349, set out as a note under section 2401 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

7 U.S.C. § 2357

Title 7Agriculture

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73