I have a few questions regarding the legal issues on using capsicum varieties. I presume there are not so many limitations if I'm using a certain variety as an individual, but there certainly are some if I'm a business. And by "using" I mean growing, gathering seeds, selling plants or seeds, using it for cross-pollination, etc.
So here are my questions:
1. Who owns the rights for a certain variety if there is such a thing and how can it be checked? I understand there are heirloom varieties that probably nobody owns, but if a certain company developed a variety and is selling the seeds - am I allowed to gather the seeds from the fruits I grow? can I sell those? can I sell the plants grown from the original seeds or the ones I'm saving?
2. If an enthusiast grower developed a stable variety, named it and sold the seeds, can I grow this variety commercially, gather or sell the seeds? And who actually coins the name?
3. If I use two varieties in creating a third one, do I own any credits or benefits to the "parents's owners"?
So here are my questions:
1. Who owns the rights for a certain variety if there is such a thing and how can it be checked? I understand there are heirloom varieties that probably nobody owns, but if a certain company developed a variety and is selling the seeds - am I allowed to gather the seeds from the fruits I grow? can I sell those? can I sell the plants grown from the original seeds or the ones I'm saving?
2. If an enthusiast grower developed a stable variety, named it and sold the seeds, can I grow this variety commercially, gather or sell the seeds? And who actually coins the name?
3. If I use two varieties in creating a third one, do I own any credits or benefits to the "parents's owners"?