A biopatent is granted for microorganism strains, cell lines, genetically modified variants, DNA sequences, biotechnological processes, and applications related to products and their processes.
Terms of biopatent:
1. Biopatents grant the patent holder exclusive rights to the protected invention, restricting others from making, using, selling, or importing it for a limited duration.
2. The duration of a biopatent is either five years from the grant date or seven years from the patent application filing date, whichever is shorter.
3. Awarding biopatents encourages innovation, fostering the development of a scientific culture in society and highlighting the significant role of biology in shaping human societies.
4. The first biopatent was awarded for a genetically engineered bacterium, ‘Pseudomonas,’ designed for clearing oil spills. Additionally, a notable biopatent titled ‘Control of Plant Gene Expression,’ jointly issued by Delta and Pineland Company and the US Department of Agriculture, is centered on a gene that produces a protein toxic to plants, preventing seed germination.