Plant Variety Protection Office (PVPO) E-News

It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to our first issue of the 

PVPO E-News. This electronic newsletter will provide you with news 

about the PVPO team, helpful PVP tips, and other information about 

what we do and how we can help you. We welcome your suggestions 

on topics for future newsletters as well as ideas on how we can improve 

our service. Please feel free to contact the PVPO at (202) 720-1128 or 

(202) 720-1066; or by email at pvpomail@ams.usda.gov if you have any 

questions, comments, or suggestions.

In this first issue we provide a tour of the PVPO website - what each section does and how to get the 

most out of our website.

PVPO Website Tour (www.ams.usda.gov/PVPO)

The PVPO Website provides an 

abundance of information. Start by 

clicking on the link above to take you 

to the Plant Variety Protection main 

page. From this page use the left 

menu links to take you to the 

following sections:

Program Requirements – describes the 

basic PVP requirements

How to Apply – gives guidance on what 

forms need to be completed 

and filed with the PVP Office, 

fees to be paid, and 

where/how to file

Forms – provides forms (pdf) for filing 

a new PVP application, crop 

specific forms, and forms for 

paying by credit card, 

ownership change and 

depositing seeds

Services and Fees – describes the PVP 

fee for each service

Questions and Answers – provides 

answers to frequently asked 

questions 

PVP Board – provides information on 
the PVP Office’s advisory board 

– including its purpose and 

charter, minutes of past 

meetings and information on 

becoming a Board member

Issued Certificates – provides lists of 

certificates issued by date since 

2012. Also provides links to 

download any issued PVP 

certificate and to sign up for 

the PVPO listserv subscription 

which provides updates on 

certificates issued and other 

important news

Application Status – provides a link to 

the monthly PVP Application 

Status Report (pdf) including 

variety name, owner, office 

action status (pending, issued, 

abandoned, etc.), certificate 

seed option, certificate 

issuance date, and certificate 

expiration date. There is also a

link to sign up for the PVPO 

listserv subscription

The Plant Variety Protection Office (PVPO) provides 

intellectual property protection to breeders of new 

varieties of seeds and tubers. Implementing the Plant 

Variety Protection Act (PVPA), we examine new 

applications and grant certificates that protect varieties 

for 20 years (25 years for vines and trees). Our 

certificates are recognized worldwide and allow faster 

filing of foreign PVP applications. Certificate owners 

have exclusive rights to market and sell their varieties, 

manage the use of their varieties by other breeders, and 

enjoy legal protection of their work. Our services create 

an incentive for the development of new and improved 

varieties. New varieties, better suited for climate 

change and pest/disease control, promote agriculture 

production and food security for an increasing world 

population.

The USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
The PVPO Listserv informs subscribers of updates or important program announcements. < Subscribe 

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