Managing the fruits of innovation in India

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.