With the permission of Mr. J.H. Selchau

回智財總頁
International Symposium on Plant Variety Protection
Taichung City, Taiwan
June 13-14, 2000

Implementation and Enforcement of
Plant Breeders' Rights
- an European Perspective

植物育種加權利的執行與實施
- 歐洲人的見解

It is indeed an honour for me to participate in this Symposium, and I do sincerely thank the Organisers for enabling me to elaborate on the topic of the European Community Plant Variety Protection and especially the friendly enforcement of the breeders' rights. I sincerely thank the organisers for the invitation.

能夠參加這個研討會是我的榮幸。我誠摯地感謝主辦單位給我這個機會，來詳細地說明歐盟植物品種保護，以及如何和諧地實行育種家權利。我再次感謝主辦單位的邀請。

I consider the possibility to exchange views and ideas very useful, even better than the trading of the plant material itself, since if you have a penny and I have a penny and we exchange pennies, you still have one cent and I still have one cent. BUT, if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange ideas, you now have two ideas and I now also have two ideas!

我認為交換意見以及觀點是很好的，甚至比買賣植物材料還好。假如您有一個想法，我也有一個，我們互相來交換，那您就有兩個想法，我也有兩個；反之，您我各有一個銀角，我們互相來交換，您還是只有一個，我也還是只有一個銀角。

To a breeder of new plant varieties, a Plant Variety Protection is only as useful as it is enforceable, and in this paper it is my aim to introduce the principles of enforcement, based on the European Community Plant Variety legislation as implemented through a standardised Licence Agreement system.

對於新品種的植物育種家來說，植物品種保護法必需要能執行才有用。在這次的演講當中，我想介紹歐盟植物品種法主要的實行內容，以及如何經由標準化的授權合約體系，來執行這樣的法規。

The convention, which Mr. Barendrecht has been introducing and explaining, is forming basis for the national legislation in most European countries. In fact, the legal acts in the majority of European countries, producing or consuming plant varieties, have for many years been in accordance with the recommended UPOV stipulations, just the list of protectable species have been limited in certain countries. The breeder, domiciled in or represented by a national of the specific country, would file an application in each country, which he considered appropriate.

大多數歐洲國家都是根據Barendrecht 先生所闡述的UPOV公約，來訂立各國法律。實際上，大多數歐洲國家的法規，不論是品種的生產國或者是品種的消費國，多年來都符合UPOV的約定，只不過在某些國家，受保護的植物種類較少罷了。育種家認定那個國家合適，只要他，或者他的代理人是該國居民，就可以在該國出申請。

But, as from 27th April 1995, any breeder, being citizen of or domiciled in any member state of the European Community or in a UPOV member state, can file an application for his plant variety directly with the European Community Variety Office, which is now permanently domiciled in Angers, France.

不過在1995年4月27日以後，只要是歐盟會員國的國民或居民，或者是UPOV會員國的國民或居民，育種家就可以直接向歐盟植物品種局申請他的植物品種。目前歐盟品種局永久設立於法國的Angers。

The Community Plant Variety Right (CPVR) is a form of intellectual property akin to a patent.

歐盟植物品種權是類似專利的一種智慧財產形式。

Based on a single application to the Community Plant variety Office, a breeder may be granted a single intellectual property right, which is operative throughout the European Community. The CPVR has uniform affect within the territory of the Community and may not be granted, transferred or terminated otherwise than on a uniform basis in relation to that territory.

育種家向歐盟植物品種局提出一筆申請，就可望得到一筆可用在歐盟境內的智慧財產。歐盟植物品種權在歐盟境內的作用是一致的；在境內若非有一致的基礎，這個權利是不能授與、轉讓或終止的。

Based on the regulations of the UPOV-1991-Convention, the EU Council Directive prescribes that it is necessary to obtain the approval of the variety owner (the breeder) in order to perform

a) Production or reproduction (by multiplication)
b) Conditioning for the purpose of propagation
c) Offering for sale
d) Selling or other marketing
e) Exporting from the Community
f) Importing to the Community
g) Stocking for any of the purpose mentioned in a) to f), above

根據UPOV-1991年公約的法規，歐聯Council Directive規定，進行以下的行為皆須經過品種擁有者，即育種家的許可：

1.繁殖與生產
2.為了繁殖而行調製
3.提供販售
4.販售或其他行銷
5.由歐盟出口
6.進口至歐盟
7.為了進行前述1-6項行為所做的囤積。

In addition to the stipulations of the UPOV Convention, the EU Directive further entitles the variety owner the right to prescribe conditions and limitations to his authorisation.

除了UPOV的約定，歐聯Council Directive進一步規定權利人得針對他的授權設立條件以及限制。

Both the UPOV 1991 and the Community Directive authorises the variety owner to collect appropriate royalties on the harvested material only if this has been obtained through unauthorised use of the variety constituents of the protected variety, and unless the holder has had reasonable opportunity to exercise his right in relation to the said variety constituents. In other words, should the variety owner not be able to exercise his rights at the time and place of propagation, he might implement his Breeders' rights through collection of royalties on, for inst. - the tomato juice.

歐聯Council Directive以及UPOV-1991年公約都規定，對於受保護品種種苗栽培出來的收穫物而言，若這項栽培並未經過權利人的授權，而且權利人也沒有合理的機會來收取該品種的權利，那麼權利人就可以針對這些收穫物收取適當的權利金。

The legislation also includes stipulations for the initial breeder's influence on essential derived varieties as well as the concept of farm saved seed, which is of the utmost interest to Breeders - and producers - of agricultural crops.

法律也規定起始育種家對於實質衍生品種的權利，以及農民留種的概念，這些是生產農業作物的育種家以及農民所關切的議題。

The farm saved seed derogation enables farmers to sow, on their own holdings, seed derived from the harvested crop of a protected variety, which has been grown on their own holdings. However, the derogation applies only to certain specified agricultural crops.

削減權利的農民留種規定，使得農民可以在自己的土地上繁殖受保護品種，用來在自己的土地上種植。不過這項農民免責只限定於某些特定的農業作物。

Furthermore, the Council Directive lists some categories of acts, which do not fall within the scope of the CPVR,

a.o.:

a) Acts done privately and for non-commercial purposes
b) Acts done for experimental purposes
c) Acts done for the purpose of breeding, or discovering and developing other varieties

　

除了歐盟植物品種權的規定外，歐聯Council Directive額外地列舉了一些權利的限制款項：

1.私下而且非營利的行為，
2.以試驗為目的的行為，
3.以育種，或者發現以及發展其他品種為目的的的行為。

The protection is valid until 25 years, however for grape- and tree-varieties, the period is 30 years.

保護期限25年，不過葡萄以及樹木類品種長可達30年。

As a prerequisite to commercial exhaustion of a protected plant variety, the variety has to be assigned a name, approved and registered by the appropriate plant novelty authority. And the variety should be designated by this approved variety name, even beyond the expiry of the protection period.

受保護品種要作為商業用途之前，需要賦予品種名稱，這個名稱要經過適當的植物新品種局的申請核准。核准後該品種就需以此名稱來稱呼，即使保護期間結束後也是一樣。

The new system is not intended to replace or even harmonize national systems, but rather to exist alongside them as an alternative; indeed it should be emphasized that it is not possible simultaneously to hold both Community and national plant variety rights in relation to a variety. Similarly, a CPVR cannot co-exist with a patent. Any national plant variety right or patent granted for a variety, in relation to which a CPVR already exists, will be ineffective.

這個新系統並不是用來取代或者融合各國的保護系統，而是作為各國系統的另一個代替系統。也就是說，一個品種不可以同時擁有歐盟植物品種權以及國家植物品種權。歐盟植物品種權也不能與專利權共存。對於一個擁有歐盟植物品種權的品種授與國家植物品種權或者專利權是無效的。

Where a CPVR is granted in relation to a variety for which a national right or patent has already been granted, the national right or patent is suspended for the duration of the CPVR. In certain countries, a national right or patent may continue upon the expiry of the CPVR, based on various principles, i.e. payment of a dormant fee etc.

對一個已經擁有國家植物品種權或者專利權的品種而言，若授予歐盟植物品種權，那麼在歐盟植物品種權的保護期間，國家植物品種權或者專利權就得暫時停止。某些國家另有規定，在某些情況下，例如預交費用，則當歐盟植物品種權終了之後，國家植物品種權或者專利權還可以繼續。

Briefly, what is a plant novelty: It should be distinct: In at least one essential characteristic differ from any known variety of the same species; it should be uniform: homogenous within the specific generation; and stable: the variety should - by continued propagation - maintain the characteristics claimed for this variety, when propagated in accordance with the methods prescribed by the variety owner; and naturally, it should be new: at the date of application, variety constituents or harvested material of the variety have not been sold or otherwise disposed of to others within the community, by or with the consent of the breeder earlier than one year before the above mentioned date, or four years outside the Community. For trees and wines however, this period of grace is six years.

以下簡單說明植物新品種的定義。第一，需要具備可區別性，與任何已知的品種至少有一項主要特性是不同的；第二，在同一世代之間需要具備一致性。第三，需要具備穩定性，依照品種擁有者的規定方法下，連續繁殖，皆可維持這個品種的特性。第四，當然要是新的；在申請日以前，經由育種者或育種者的同意下，若在市場上販售，或者處置種苗或收穫物給別人，在歐盟內，只要沒有超過一年，在歐盟外一般植物沒有超過4年，葡萄與樹木品種沒有超過6年，都算是新品種。

The majority of DUS-testing - the so-called comparative trials - are performed at centralised testing stations, but due to the fact, that within the implementation of the new legislation (EU Council Directive 2100/94 and UPOV-1991- based national legislations), any plant species can be protected, the need for extended testing facilities have arisen. It is foreseen to include contractual testing facilities, which even may be at the breeder's own facilities.

大多數的品種比較試驗，也就是所謂的DUS試驗，都在中央試驗場裡面進行。然而根據UPOV以及歐盟的新規定，任何種植物都會受到保護，因此試驗場的擴張勢在必行，可預期的是，會經由契約委外進行，甚或也可能在申請者自己的試驗場所來進行。

Recently, a working committee of Fleuroselect and myself, representing the Ornamental Plants Section of ASSINSEL, have succeeded to obtain the approval of UPOV, the Community Office, appropriate testing officers to establish a preliminary comparative trials at specific Fleuroselect trial grounds in the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark, mainly for seed-propagated ornamental varieties.

最近ASSINSEL的觀賞植物組由我代表，與Fleuroselect的專案委員會，都已獲得UPOV的認可，任命為試驗官員，準備在Fleuroselect設於荷蘭、德國、與丹麥的試驗場，進行初步的比較試驗；主要是針對利用種子繁殖的觀賞品種。

The Basic Regulation of the CPVR deals with civil law claims, infringements and jurisdiction.

歐盟植物品種權中關於民法上的請求權、侵權以及審判的部分。

In Article 94 the acts and omissions, which constitute infringement of a CPVR is described. The Article provides that the holder of a CPVR may bring an action for an injunction or compensation or both, against any person who, without being entitled to do so, effects one of the acts set out in relation to the protected variety. In addition to acts effected in relation to the plant material of the protected variety itself, acts affected in relation to essentially derived varieties, other indistinct varieties and hybrid varieties dependent on the protected variety for their production, may also constitute infringements. The entitlement to effect the acts may derive from the authorisation of the holder, from the farm saved seed derogation or from one of the limitations on the scope of right or from a compulsory exploitation right granted by the Community Plant Variety Office.

在第94條中針對於一些行為或疏忽而構成侵權加以描述。條文中規定，對於任何人，只要沒經同意而對受保護品種完成了前述的任一行為，那麼歐盟植物品種權擁有者就可對之提出強制令或要求賠償，或兩項都提出。以上的許可同時也可以應用在從屬品種，包括實質衍生品種、不具明顯可區分品種、需要用到受保護品種的雜交種等。若經由權利人的授權、或符合農民留種、或經由歐盟植物品種局的強制授權，任何人就可以合法的完成了前述的行為。

The holder of a CPVR may bring an action for an injunction or compensation, or both, against any person, who omits the correct usage of a variety denomination. Any person who, within the Community, offers or disposes of to others for commercial purposes, variety constituents of a protected variety or a variety covered by the extended provisions, must use the variety denomination designated for the variety. The variety denomination shall be readily distinguishable and clearly legible and if a trade mark, trade name or similar indication is associated with the variety denomination, the denomination must be clearly recognisable as such.

條文中也規定，對於任何人，只要用錯了受保護品種的品種名，那麼歐盟植物品種權擁有者就可對之提出強制令或要求賠償，或兩項都提出。對於受保護品種以及其從屬品種，歐盟內的任何人，在進行商業上的販售或處理時，都必須使用該品種的品種名。品種名的使用要能容易認出、區分，若要與商標、商品名、或其他指示一起使用，那麼品種名的標示要能清楚的讓人知道那就是品種名。

If an infringing party has acted intentionally or negligently, he shall be liable to compensate the holder of the CPVR for any further damage resulting from the act of infringement. In addition, where the party liable of such infringement has made any gain at the expense of the holder of the CPVR or a person enjoying exploitation rights, the articles also makes provision for restitution of the profit by the competent courts.

侵權者不論是有意或無心，對於侵權所造成的權利人的進一步的損失，有義務負責賠償。此外，侵權者因為侵權所得到的利潤，使得權利人得不到該得到的，條文中也規定由有權的法院裁決歸還給權利人。

The Articles also provides that a holder of a CPVR may require reasonable compensation from any person who has, in the time between publication of the application for a CPVR and the grant thereof, effected an act that he would be prohibited from performing subsequent thereto.

歐盟植物品種權也規定：在申請權利公告後到權利獲准這段期間，任何人完成侵權的行為，權利人都得對之要求賠償。

Claims of this nature should be time barred after three years from the time at which the CPVR has been finally granted and the holder has knowledge of the act and of the identity of the party liable or, in the absence of such knowledge, after 30 years from the termination of the act concerned.

這類的要求，應自歐盟植物品種權核准確定之後，且權利人知有侵害行為及加害人時起三年內提出，如果權利人不知，自侵害行為終了後三十年內均可提出。

All Community Member States are charged with taking all appropriate measures to ensure that the same provisions are made applicable to penalise an infringement of a CPVR as apply in the matter of an infringement of a corresponding national right. However, winning an infringement case normally results in a breeder only being awarded for lost royalties and not for damages or the cost of the trial. This appears to penalise the holder of rights and discriminate against small breeders. The current policing and enforcement system appear to be ineffective and unsatisfactory, although a number of royalty collection bureaus have established cross-boarder co-operations in order to cope with differences in language and mentality amongst growers.

所有歐盟會員國都需要負責採取所有可能的合適措施，使得對於歐盟植物品種權的侵權行為，都能夠得到同樣的處罰，就好像對於各國品種權的侵權所得到的一樣。然而，即使贏得了一個侵權的控告，通常育種家只能得到所損失的權利金，對於其他損失以及訴訟費用，卻通常無法得到理賠。這簡直是在處罰權利人，對於小育種公司也是算是差別待遇。儘管一些聯合，跨邊界的權利金徵收所已經成立，用來處理不同語言以及不同生產者心態所導致的偏差，無疑的，現行的政策以及執行體系是有所缺陷，有所不足。

Generally, most European breeders feel that both national and Community Plant Variety Protection is satisfactory.

一般而言，大都數歐洲育種家仍然認為，不論是國家的或是歐盟的植物品種保護，都是恰當的。

The major problem is to enforce these rights in practice. Finding the information needed to challenge those who may be infringing the rights is extremely difficult, but the establishment of specific Licence Agreement systems might be helpful. I would now like to explain the Standardised Licence Agreement system, developed by the Ornamental Plants Section of the Danish Association of Plant Breeders, and upon thorough discussions adopted by the Danish Association of Horticultural Producers in 1995. We are also very pleased, that the international association of Horticultural Producers, AIPH, during their Annual General Meeting last year, approved the system and are recommending their individual member organisations to seek implementation of the system or a system alike.

主要的問題出現在這些權利怎麼付諸實施。如何去獲得足夠的證據來控告可能的侵權者，是相當困難的。建立特別的授權合約體系可能有所幫助。以下我要介紹丹麥育種家協會觀賞植物組在1995年所發展出來的授權合約標準體系。我們也很高興，國際園藝生產業協會(AIPH)在去年的年會時，已經認可我們的制度，並且向該協會的團體會員建議，實行這個或者類似的體系。

The actual system is a revised version, which has not yet formally been adopted, but obviously only minor changes will be necessary, since the revision in principle is only of practical nature.

實際的體系已經修改過，這些修改雖然還沒有正式採納，不過主要都是一些實際操作上的小改變而已。

A set of the contracts will be available in the Proceeding.

研討會論文集上會提出一套各類的合約書。

The contractual system consists of Standard Licence Stipulations, similar to the overall rules and regulations of an insurance policy, outlining the rights and obligations of licensor as well as licencee. In addition, the licencee being he propagator, grower or dealer - will have to sign a Licence Agreement for the specific use of certain varieties, and valid for a specified period. The Licence Agreement may also include further restrictions or conditions, i.e. territory of exhaustion, limitation of production quantities, compulsory use of trade marks or labels etc.

這個契約體系包括一份標準授權契約、這個契約類似保險單的整套規則條款，列舉出授權人與被授權人的權利以及義務。此外，被授權人，不論是繁殖者、生產者或是經銷商，需要簽署一份授權合約，聲明針對某些品種的特定用途，以及特定的有效期間。授權合約也可以納入以下的限制或者條件：消耗的地區、生產數量的限制、商標或其他標誌的強制使用等。

The Licence Agreement entitles the Licencee

either propagation and sale of propagation material;
or propagation and sale of the finished product;
or production of finished plants only;
or production of cut flowers.

授權合約同意被授權人

或者得繁殖以及販賣種苗，
或者得繁殖以及販賣成株，
或者僅得生產成株，
或者得生產切花。

Special Licence Agreement arrangements with trade organisations and distributors as well as Non-Propagation and Trial Agreements are also available.

此外也提供一些特別的授權合約書給貿易組織、經銷商，也有一些禁止繁殖合約書以及試驗合約書可做參考。

Let us take a short look at some details of the agreements:

以下是這類合約的一些要點：

The agreement is entered between the variety owner (the holder of rights) or his representative and the applicable propagating nursery.

授權合約居於品種權利擁有者或者他的代理人，以及要去繁殖的苗圃公司之間。

The Young Plant Propagation Agreement, entitles the licencee - at his own or designated premises - to propagate the variety(-ies), comprised by the agreement and to sell the propagation material to third party nurseries, provided such third party nurseries have signed or will sign an appropriate Licence Agreement, provided their intended use of the plant material. The Licencee is also entitled, at his own or designated premises - to produce and sell finished plants of the variety(-ies) for final consumption.

「植物幼苗繁殖合約」可讓被授權人在他的土定或者他指定的地點，在合約的範圍內繁殖各類品種，並且得以將繁殖材料出售給另一家苗圃商；不過該另一家苗圃商也要，或者將要簽署一份恰當的授權合約，裡面陳述該苗圃商如何使用該植物材料。此契約也可讓被授權人在他的土定或者他指定的地點，生產以及販售該類品種的成株，以供最終的消費。

The Propagation Agreement, entitles the licencee - at his own or designated premises - to propagate the variety (-ies), comprised by the agreement for his own use and to produce and sell finished plants of the variety(-ies) for final consumption.

「植物繁殖合約」可讓被授權人在他的土定或者他指定的地點，在合約的範圍內繁殖各類品種，來供自己的使用，並且可以生產以及出售該等品種的成株，以供最終的消費。

The Production Agreement, entitles the Licencee at his own or designated premises, to grow and sell the variety (-ies) in question for final consumption.

「生產合約」可讓被授權人在他的土定或者他指定的地點，生產以及出售該等品種，以供最終的消費。

By establishing the Licence Agreement, both parties accepts certain obligations and commitments, including the necessary control of non-violation of the terms and stipulations of the legislation on Plant Variety Rights and the Licence Agreement as such. The variety owner is entitled, at due notice, to perform control visits to the Licencee's premises in order to verify the quantities of propagation and/or production.

在此種授權合約之下，兩造都要接受某些約束與保證，包括必要進行的管制措施，以期不違反植物品種權利的承諾以及協議，以及授權合約本身。在適當的提前通知下，品種擁有者得在被授權人的地點進行管制性的探訪，以便確認繁殖/生產的數量。

However, most variety owners are performing this control through the service of non-profit royalty collection bureaus, in order not to mingle commercial interests and the Police work of controlling their customers.

不過大多數的品種擁有者都是委託非營利性的權利金徵收所來進行這類的管制，以便免因為這種類似警察的工作引起主顧的的不高興，反而影響到商機。

The two types of Propagation Agreements are clearly indicating the specific amount of royalties, which are due by propagation of the variety(-ies) in question and the agreed method for calculating and reporting the number of propagated plants. The reporting periods and deadlines for handing-in of such reports as well as the applicable dates of payment are also stipulated in the Licence Agreement.

以上兩種繁殖合約都要明白地註明權利金的額度；繁殖品種的種類，以及雙方都同意的，計算、列報繁殖植物數量的方式都會決定權利金的額度。列報期間、列報繳交最後期限、以及可付款日期也都會在授權合約書中註明。

The mere mentioning of the word ROYALTY raises the blood pressure of many flower growers around the world.

只要一提到權利金，世界各地方許多花農的血壓都會升高。

	why is it necessary to pay extra for a plant with a fancy name? The subject is often avoided, because it raises controversy, but try once to consider the idea, that you are paying a rental fee to the variety owner for using his invention.
	為什麼憑一個好聽的品種名稱，就要我多付額外的錢？這個問題很多人不想講，因為會引起爭議。不過想一想，這只是對品種所有者的發明附一些租金而已。

In other words,

也就是說，

You do not buy the variety, you only rent the right to use it.

我們不是在買一個品種，我們只是租用該品種的權利。

If I develop a new plant with characteristics, you want to produce and sell, why not rent my technology? And why complain about the rent? Aren't you using my inventiveness for your own gain?

假如我創造了一個具有特殊性質的新植物，而您願意去生產來賣，那麼就可以來租用我的技術呀。既然要租用了，為什麼不要付租金呢？您不是在用我的發明來賺錢嗎？

The question of how much rent or royalty is a different issue.

當然權利金的高低又是另一個問題。

If you think the rent is too high, you do not have to rent my technology. But just because you think, it is too high, does not give you the right to use my technology without paying the rent.

假如您嫌租金太高，那大可不必租用我的技術。不過您嫌租金太高，並不表示您就可以免費使用我的技術。

Because, royalty payment is not just an add-on cost for the propagator. Royalty payment is to pay the inventor for his inventiveness and the development cost of a new cultivar. One new plant cultivar that is truly superior must support development costs for itself, as well for all the sisters and brothers, that didn't quite make it.

因為付給權利金並不只表示增加繁殖者的成本，而是表示要付給育種家的發明，以及開發新品種的費用。既然是真正優秀的新品種，它的開發都是要錢的，因此任何用到的人都要給予一些代價。

Royalty payment for using superior plant cultivars is very necessary in our industry; new plant development depends on it; honesty demands it; and if you do not support the concept of royalty, development of new cultivars will suffer a very serious set-back.

在我們的產業上，付給真正優秀的新品種一些權利金，是非常需要的。新品種的開發需要這些權利金，誠實的就會付這些權利金。假若我們不支持權利金這樣的觀念，新品種的開發會嚴重的受阻。

If you think the royalty is too high, grow a different cultivar.

假若我們覺得權利金太高，那就生產另一個品種吧！

But if you choose to grow a cultivar with a royalty,

假如我們還是決定要生產一個帶有權利金的品種，

Figure the cultivar rent as a necessary cost.

那就把租用那個品種的費用計算在生產成本內吧！

In the end, it is in the best interest of every grower to have the opportunity to grow good varieties, although the grower has to pay compensation in the form of a royalty to the breeder. If new varieties allow the grower to have higher harvest or better products with higher profits, it is worth paying the royalty to the breeder. After all, we need new products to meet stricter demands form the public, from our customers.

最後我要說的是，能夠種植好的品種，對每個生產者來講都是最有利的，即使生產者要付給育種者一些權利金。假如新品種可以讓生產者有較好的收成或較好的產品，那麼給育種者一些權利金還是划得來的。畢竟我們都需要新的產品來滿足消費大眾越來越挑的需求。

Remember, some day, we will all have to account for our excesses; it is just a deferred settlement......!

反正，天理昭昭，拿人家多少，到頭來，還是要還人家多少。

Thank you very much for your attention.

謝謝大家的耐心聽講。

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