Plant breeders need to protect their genetically modified (GM) plants to compensate for the high levels of investment in developing plants with desired genotypic and/or phenotypic traits. In India, GM plants enjoy plant variety protection and, to a certain extent, patent protection. However, a recent decision of the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) refusing Monsanto’s patent on a method for obtaining shock-resistant plants has made patent protection an unclear issue in India.