§2531 Ownership and assignment

Summary

Treats plant variety protection like personal property. Applications and any interest in a variety can be transferred in writing. An owner can also license or give exclusive rights to use the variety for all or part of the United States. A signed, sealed statement by someone allowed to administer oaths in the U.S., or by a U.S. diplomatic or consular officer abroad (or an officer whose authority is certified by such a diplomat), is accepted as proof the transfer, license, or application was signed. To be effective against later buyers or lenders who pay without notice, the transfer, license, or similar document must be filed in the Plant Variety Protection Office either within one month after its date or at least one month before the later sale or mortgage.