Can I Save it? Intellectual Property Rights & Vegetable Varieties

Date: March 15, 2022. Speakers: Christy Ó Ceallaigh-Bisson & Kaitlyn Duthie-Kannikkatt (SeedChange), Luke Jefferies & Janice Brant (Kenhte:keSeed Sanctuary and Learning Centre)

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The rules and regulations guiding intellectual property rights for vegetable crops–such as plant variety protections, contracts, and patents–can be confusing and problematic. Crafted to enable the collection of royalty fees in newly developed crop varieties, these tools have proven to be somewhat inflexible and inequitable. In response, there has been a surge of support for initiatives, such as the Open Source Seed Initiative, which keep seed in the public domain. We will explore the impacts of both frameworks for seed savers. Both of these approaches reflect settler culture and what it tells us about human dominion over seeds. We’ll learn about parallel and contrasting seed cultures within Indigenous seed systems and relationships. Please join us for this technical and cultural discussion about seed as private property. This webinar will be useful for all curious growers and seed savers.