International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV Convention)

International convention establishing a system for the protection of new plant varieties through the recognition of intellectual property rights for breeders of new plant varieties. The Convention establishes the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) and provides the legal basis for granting and protecting breeders' rights, including the conditions that varieties must meet to qualify for protection, the scope and duration of breeders' rights, applicable exceptions and limitations, variety denominations and international cooperation in plant variety protection. Originally adopted on December 2, 1961, the Convention was revised in 1972, 1978 and 1991.