Plant Breeders’s Rights
Plant breeders’ rights (PBRs) in Türkiye grant exclusive legal protection to individuals or entities that develop new plant varieties. Governed by Law No. 5042 and aligned with the UPOV Convention, which Turkey joined in 2007, the system ensures that breeders have control over the reproduction, marketing, and sale of their protected varieties.
Applications are filed with the General Directorate of Plant Production (BÜGEM) and undergo formal, substantive, and technical examination phases. The technical evaluation checks if the variety meets the DUS criteria: Distinctness, Uniformity, and Stability.
Protection lasts 25 years for most plants and 30 years for trees, vines, and potatoes. To keep the rights valid, annual maintenance fees must be paid. Breeders must also ensure the variety remains stable and comply with official inspections.
Our firm is here to support you throughout the entire process—from filing to enforcement—offering tailored guidance on securing your breeders’ rights in Türkiye.
