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Plant Breeder’s Rights Act 1994
No. 110, 1994
Compilation No. 20
Compilation date: 24 February 2019
Includes amendments up to: Act No. 77, 2018
Registered: 1 March 2019
Prepared by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel, Canberra
About this compilation
This compilation
This is a compilation of the Plant Breeder’s Rights Act 1994 that shows the text
of the law as amended and in force on 24 February 2019 (the compilation date).
The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information
about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled
law.
Uncommenced amendments
The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the
compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible
on the Legislation Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of
amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are
underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced
amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled
law.
Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and
amendments
If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by
an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this
compilation, details are included in the endnotes.
Editorial changes
For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see
the endnotes.
Modifications
If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as
modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly,
this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For
more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation
Register for the compiled law.
Self-repealing provisions
If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a
provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.
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Contents
Part 1—Preliminary 1 Short title ...........................................................................................1
2 Commencement.................................................................................1
3 Definitions.........................................................................................1
4 Definition of essentially derived........................................................8
Definition of breeding .......................................................................8
6 Genetic modification .........................................................................9
8 Approved persons..............................................................................9
9 Act to bind Crown .............................................................................9
9A Application of the Criminal Code .....................................................9
9B Extension to Norfolk Island...............................................................9
Extent of Act ...................................................................................10
Part 2—Plant breeder’s right 11 11 General nature of PBR.....................................................................11
12 Extension of PBR to cover essentially derived varieties..................11
13 Extension of PBR to cover certain dependent plant varieties ..........11
14 Extension of PBR to harvested material in certain
circumstances ..................................................................................12
Extension of PBR to products obtained from harvested
material in certain circumstances.....................................................12
16 Certain acts done for private, experimental or breeding
purposes do not infringe PBR..........................................................13
17 Conditioning and use of farm saved seed does not infringe
PBR .................................................................................................13
18 Restrictions on exercise of PBR in certain circumstances ...............14
19 Reasonable public access to plant varieties covered by PBR ..........15
PBR is personal property.................................................................17
21 Registrar must be notified of an assignment of PBR .......................18
22 Duration of PBR..............................................................................19
23 Exhaustion of PBR ..........................................................................20
Part 3—Application for plant breeder’s right 22
Division 1—The making of the application 22
24 Right to apply for PBR ....................................................................22
Right to apply for PBR is personal property....................................22
26 Form of application for PBR ...........................................................22
27 Names of new plant varieties...........................................................24
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28 Applications to be given priority dates ............................................26
29 Priority dates arising from foreign application ................................26
30 Acceptance or rejection of applications...........................................27
31 Requests for variation of application ...............................................28
32 Notification of decisions on requests to vary application ................29
33 Withdrawal of application ...............................................................30
Division 2—Dealing with the application after its acceptance 31
34 Detailed description in support of application to be given to
Registrar ..........................................................................................31
35 Objection to application for PBR ....................................................32
36 Inspection of applications and objections ........................................33
37 Test growing of plant varieties ........................................................34
38 Characteristics of plant varieties bred or test grown outside
Australia ..........................................................................................36
Division 3—Provisional protection 38
39 Provisional protection......................................................................38
Division 4—Essential derivation 40
40 Essential derivation for PBR-protected varieties—
declaration .......................................................................................40
41 Essential derivation for PBR-protected varieties—test
growing............................................................................................44
41A Essential derivation for non-PBR-protected second
varieties—application for declaration..............................................45
41B Essential derivation for non-PBR-protected varieties—
publication of applications...............................................................47
41C Essential derivation for non-PBR-protected varieties—
opportunity to be heard....................................................................48
41D Essential derivation for non-PBR-protected varieties—
declaration .......................................................................................50
41E Essential derivation for non-PBR-protected varieties—test
growing............................................................................................52
41F Essential derivation for non-PBR-protected varieties—
application lodged for PBR in second variety .................................53
Part 4—The grant and revocation of Plant Breeder’s Right 56
Division 1—Grant of Plant Breeder’s Right 56
43 Registrable plant varieties ...............................................................56
44 Grant of PBR...................................................................................58
45 Grant of PBR to be exclusive ..........................................................61
46 Grant of PBR to be entered on Register...........................................61
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47 Notice of grant of PBR ....................................................................62
48 Effect of grant of PBR.....................................................................62
49 PBR may be subject to conditions ...................................................63
Division 2—Revocation of Plant Breeder’s Right or declaration
of essential derivation 64
50 Revocation of PBR..........................................................................64
51 Entry of particulars of revocation ....................................................66
52 Surrender of PBR ............................................................................66
Part 5—Enforcement of Plant Breeder’s Right 67 53 Infringement of PBR .......................................................................67
54 Actions for infringement .................................................................68
54A Counterclaims to actions for infringement ......................................68
55 Declarations as to non-infringement................................................69
56 Jurisdiction of the Federal Court .....................................................70
56A Jurisdiction of Federal Circuit Court ...............................................71
57 Innocent infringement .....................................................................72
57A Application for relief from unjustified threats .................................72
57B Court’s power to grant relief............................................................73
57C Counterclaim for infringement ........................................................73
57D Notification of PBR in a plant variety not a threat ..........................73
57E Liability of legal practitioner ...........................................................74
Part 6—Administration 75 58 Registrar of Plant Breeder’s Rights .................................................75
59 Delegation .......................................................................................75
60 Certain persons not to acquire PBR.................................................76
61 Register of Plant Varieties ...............................................................76
62 Inspection of Register......................................................................77
62A Registrar’s power to rectify Register ...............................................77
Part 8—Miscellaneous 79 68 Public notices ..................................................................................79
69 Notices inviting submissions in respect of certain regulations ........79
70 Genetic resource centres ..................................................................80
71 The herbarium .................................................................................80
72 Agents may act in matters relating to PBR......................................80
72A Notifications by Registrar under this Act or regulations..................80
72B Manner in which documents may be lodged with or given to
Registrar ..........................................................................................81
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72C Approved means of lodging or giving documents ...........................81
73 Service of documents ......................................................................81
74 Infringement offences......................................................................82
75 Offences other than infringement offences ......................................82
76 Conduct by directors, employees and agents ...................................83
76A Doing act when PBR office reopens after end of period
otherwise provided for doing act .....................................................84
76B Computerised decision-making .......................................................85
77 Applications for review ...................................................................86
78 Repeal..............................................................................................88
79 Compensation for acquisition of property .......................................88
80 Regulations......................................................................................89
80A Approved means of paying a fee .....................................................90
Part 9—Transitional 92 81 Definitions.......................................................................................92
82 Plant variety rights under old Act to be treated as PBR under
this Act ............................................................................................92
83 Applications for plant variety rights lodged and criminal
proceedings begun before commencing day....................................93
84 Other applications and proceedings under old Act ..........................93
86 Register of Plant Varieties ...............................................................93
Endnotes 94
Endnote 1—About the endnotes 94
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key 96
Endnote 3—Legislation history 97
Endnote 4—Amendment history 100
Endnote 5—Editorial changes 105
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Preliminary Part 1
Section 1
An Act to provide for the granting of proprietary
rights to breeders of certain new varieties of plants
and fungi, to repeal the Plant Variety Rights Act
1987, and for related purposes
Part 1—Preliminary
1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the Plant Breeder’s Rights Act 1994.
2 Commencement
(1) Subject to subsection (2), the provisions of this Act commence on a
day to be fixed by Proclamation.
(2) If a provision of this Act does not commence under subsection (1)
within the period of 6 months commencing on the day on which
this Act receives the Royal Assent, it commences on the first day
after the end of that period.
3 Definitions
(1) In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears:
1991 Act of the Convention means the Act of the International
Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants, done at
Geneva on 19 March 1991, as that Act is in force for Australia
from time to time.
Note: The text of the 1991 Act of the Convention is set out in Australian
Treaty Series 2000 No. 6 ([2000] ATS 6). In 2018, the text of a
Convention in the Australian Treaty Series was accessible through the
Australian Treaties Library on the AustLII website
(www.austlii.edu.au).
AAT means the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
AAT Act means the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975.
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Act of the Convention means:
(a) the Act of the International Convention for the Protection of
New Varieties of Plants, done at Geneva on 23 October 1978,
as that Act is in force for Australia from time to time; or
(b) the 1991 Act of the Convention; or
(c) any other Act of that Convention determined by the Minister
under subsection (1A), as that Act is in force for Australia
from time to time.
Note: The text of the Act mentioned in paragraph (a) is set out in Australian
Treaty Series 1989 No. 2 ([1989] ATS 2). In 2018, the text of a
Convention in the Australian Treaty Series was accessible through the
Australian Treaties Library on the AustLII website
(www.austlii.edu.au).
address has a meaning affected by subsection (2).
applicant, in relation to an application, means the person currently
shown in the application as the person making the application.
application means an application under section 24 for PBR in a
plant variety to which this Act extends.
approved form, in relation to a provision of this Act, means a form
approved in an instrument under subsection (1B) for the purposes
of that provision.
biosecurity control order has the same meaning as in the
Biosecurity Act 2015.
biosecurity response zone has the same meaning as in the
Biosecurity Act 2015.
biosecurity response zone determination has the same meaning as
in the Biosecurity Act 2015.
breeder, in relation to a new plant variety, means:
(a) subject to paragraph (c), if the variety was bred by one
person only—the person; or
(b) subject to paragraph (c), if the variety was bred by 2 or more
persons (whether jointly or independently and whether at the
same time or different times)—each of those persons; or
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(c) if the variety was bred:
(i) by a person in the course of performing duties or
functions as a member or employee of a body (whether
incorporate or unincorporate); or
(ii) by 2 or more persons in the course of performing duties
as a member or employee of such a body;
the body of which that person or each of those persons is a
member or employee;
and includes any person or body that is the successor in title to the
person referred to in paragraph (a), to any of the persons referred to
in paragraph (b) or the body referred to in paragraph (c).
commercial-in-confidence has the meaning given by
subsection 41B(4).
conditioning, in relation to propagating material of a plant variety,
means:
(a) cleaning, coating, sorting, packaging or grading of the
material; or
(b) any other similar treatment;
undertaken for the purpose of preparing the material for
propagation or sale.
contracting party means a State, or an intergovernmental
organisation, in relation to which Australia has obligations under
an Act of the Convention.
dependent plant variety, in relation to another plant variety in
which a person holds PBR in Australia, means a plant variety over
which PBR in the other plant variety extends under section 13.
essential characteristics, in relation to a plant variety, means
heritable traits that are determined by the expression of one or
more genes, or other heritable determinants, that contribute to the
principal features, performance or value of the variety.
essentially derived, in relation to a plant variety, has the meaning
given by section 4.
exclusive licensee of the grantee of PBR in a plant variety means a
licensee under a licence granted by the grantee that confers on the
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licensee, or on the licensee and persons authorised by the licensee,
PBR in the plant variety to the exclusion of the grantee and all
other persons.
Federal Circuit Court means the Federal Circuit Court of
Australia.
Federal Court means the Federal Court of Australia.
genetic resource centre means a place that the Registrar declares
to be a genetic resource centre under subsection 70(1).
grantee:
(a) in relation to PBR in a plant variety—means the person
currently entered on the Register as the holder of that right in
that variety; and
(b) in relation to PBR in a plant variety declared to be an
essentially derived variety of another plant variety—includes
the person currently entered on the Register as the holder of
that right in relation to that other plant variety.
Note: For declarations of essential derivation, see sections 40 and 41D.
hearing period has the meaning given by subsection 41C(3).
herbarium means the organisation that the Registrar declares to be
the herbarium under section 71.
hybrid means a plant that is a combination of 2 or more genotypes
of the same or different taxa but excluding a combination
comprising a scion grafted on to a root stock.
legal practitioner means a barrister or solicitor of the High Court
or of the Supreme Court of a State or Territory.
PBR means:
(a) in relation to a plant variety registered (or to be registered) in
Australia under this Act—the plant breeder’s right specified
in section 11; or
(b) in relation to a plant variety registered (or to be registered) in
another contracting party—a plant breeder’s right,
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corresponding to the right specified in section 11, conferred
under the law of that contracting party; or
(c) in relation to a plant variety registered (or to be registered) in
a foreign country that is not a contracting party—a plant
breeder’s right, corresponding to the right specified in
section 11, conferred under the law of that foreign country.
PBR office means place of work of the Registrar or a person who
is engaged under the Public Service Act 1999 or otherwise for or
on behalf of the Commonwealth and whose duties involve
providing assistance to the Registrar.
PBR sub-office means place of work in a single State of the
Registrar or a person who is engaged under the Public Service Act
1999 or otherwise for or on behalf of the Commonwealth and
whose duties involve providing assistance to the Registrar.
plant includes all fungi and algae but does not include bacteria,
bacteroids, mycoplasmas, viruses, viroids and bacteriophages.
plant class, for the purpose of variety denomination, means a class
consisting of all plants:
(a) that belong to a single botanical genus; or
(b) that belong to a group of closely related genera;
that is specified from time to time as a plant class in the Registrar’s
List of Plant Classes maintained under subsection 61(1A).
plant variety means a plant grouping (including a hybrid):
(a) that is contained within a single botanical taxon of the lowest
known rank; and
(b) that can be defined by the expression of the characteristics
resulting from the genotype of each individual within that
plant grouping; and
(c) that can be distinguished from any other plant grouping by
the expression of at least one of those characteristics; and
(d) that can be considered as a functional unit because of its
suitability for being propagated unchanged.
Note: Plant groupings for the purposes of this definition include genetically
modified plant groupings. See section 6.
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preferred means:
(a) in relation to lodging a document with, or giving a document
to, the Registrar—means the means specified under
subsection 72C(4); or
(b) in relation to paying a fee—means the means specified under
subsection 80A(4).
process, in relation to the reproduction of propagating material, of
a plant variety does not include:
(a) the development of a cell or tissue or a plant part into a plant
of that variety; or
(b) the growth of a plant into a larger plant of that variety.
propagating material, in relation to a plant of a particular plant
variety, means any part or product from which, whether alone or in
combination with other parts or products of that plant, another
plant with the same essential characteristics can be produced.
propagation, in relation to a living organism or its components,
means the growth, culture or multiplication of that organism or
component, whether by sexual or asexual means.
Register means the Register of Plant Varieties kept under
section 61.
Registrar means the Registrar of Plant Breeder’s Rights.
release from biosecurity control has the same meaning as in the
Biosecurity Act 2015.
relevant proceedings, in relation to PBR in a plant variety, means
proceedings in a court or in the AAT relating to:
(a) the grant of the PBR; or
(b) the infringement of the PBR; or
(c) a decision to revoke, or not to revoke, the PBR.
reproduction, in relation to propagating material of a plant of a
particular variety, means any process, whereby the number of units
of that propagating material that have the capacity to grow into
independent plants is multiplied.
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sell includes letting on hire and exchanging by way of barter.
subject to biosecurity control has the same meaning as in the
Biosecurity Act 2015.
successor means:
(a) in relation to a breeder of a plant variety—a person to whom
the right of the breeder to make application for PBR in that
variety has been assigned, or transmitted by will or by
operation of law; and
(b) in relation to a grantee of PBR—a person to whom that right
has been assigned, or transmitted by will or by operation of
law.
synonym, in relation to the name of a plant variety, means a name
that:
(a) is included in an application in addition to the name of the
variety; and
(b) is a name by which the variety will be known or sold in
Australia.
test growing includes a comparative test growing.
Union means the Union for the Protection of New Varieties of
Plants as defined in Article 1 of the 1991 Act of the Convention.
will includes a codicil.
Act of the Convention
(1A) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, make a determination
for the purposes of paragraph (c) of the definition of Act of the
Convention in subsection (1).
(1B) The Registrar may, by writing, approve a form for the purposes of
a provision of this Act.
Electronic address
(2) After the time specified in the regulations, a reference in this Act to
an address includes a reference to an electronic address.
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(3) The time specified under subsection (2) must be later than the day
on which the regulations are registered under the Legislation Act
2003.
(4) Subsection (2) of this section does not apply to a reference to an
address in subsection 26(2).
(5) For the purposes of this Act, the question of whether an electronic
address is in Australia is to be determined in accordance with the
regulations.
(6) For the purposes of this Act, the question of whether an electronic
address is in New Zealand is to be determined in accordance with
the regulations.
4 Definition of essentially derived
A plant variety is an essentially derived variety of another plant
variety if:
(a) it is predominantly derived from that other plant variety; and
(b) it retains the essential characteristics that result from the
genotype or combination of genotypes of that other variety;
and
(c) it does not exhibit any important (as distinct from cosmetic)
features that differentiate it from that other variety.
Note: For declarations of essential derivation, see sections 40 and 41D.
5 Definition of breeding
(1) A reference in this Act to breeding, in relation to a new plant
variety, includes a reference to the discovery of a plant together
with its use in selective propagation so as to enable the
development of the new plant variety.
(2) If a plant is discovered by one person but used in selective
propagation by another so as to enable the development of a new
plant variety, those persons are together taken to be the joint
breeders of the new plant variety.
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6 Genetic modification
For the purposes of this Act, an organism may be treated as
constituting a plant grouping within a single botanical taxon
despite the fact that the genome of the plants in that plant grouping
has been altered by the introduction of genetic material that is not
from plants.
8 Approved persons
(1) In this Act, a reference to an approved person is a reference to a
person who, on the basis of the person’s qualifications and
experience, the Registrar has designated, by instrument in writing,
to be such a person in relation to one of more species of plant.
(2) The Registrar must, from time to time, cause lists of all persons
who are approved persons in relation to particular species of plant
to be published in the Plant Varieties Journal.
9 Act to bind Crown
(1) This Act binds the Crown in right of the Commonwealth, of each
of the States, of the Australian Capital Territory and of the
Northern Territory.
(2) Nothing in this Act renders the Crown, in any of its capacities,
liable to be prosecuted for an offence.
9A Application of the Criminal Code
Chapter 2 (other than Part 2.5) of the Criminal Code applies to all
offences against this Act.
Note: Chapter 2 of the Criminal Code sets out the general principles of
criminal responsibility.
9B Extension to Norfolk Island
This Act does not extend to Norfolk Island unless the regulations
prescribe.
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10 Extent of Act
Nothing in this Act requires or permits the granting of PBR in a
plant variety unless:
(a) if Australia is a party to an Act of the Convention—the grant
is appropriate to give effect to the obligations of Australia
under that Act; or
(b) the breeding of the plant variety constitutes an invention for
the purpose of paragraph 51(xviii) of the Constitution.
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Part 2—Plant breeder’s right
11 General nature of PBR
Subject to sections 16, 17, 18, 19 and 23, PBR in a plant variety is
the exclusive right, subject to this Act, to do, or to license another
person to do, the following acts in relation to propagating material
of the variety:
(a) produce or reproduce the material;
(b) condition the material for the purpose of propagation;
(c) offer the material for sale;
(d) sell the material;
(e) import the material;
(f) export the material;
(g) stock the material for the purposes described in
paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f).
Note: In certain circumstances, the right conferred by this section extends to
essentially derived varieties (see section 12), certain dependent plant
varieties (see section 13), harvested material (see section 14) and
products obtained from harvested material (see section 15).
12 Extension of PBR to cover essentially derived varieties
Subject to section 23 (exhaustion of PBR), if PBR is granted in a
plant variety (the initial variety), and a declaration is made that
another plant variety is essentially derived from the initial variety,
the right granted in the initial variety extends, with effect from the
date of declaration, to that other plant variety.
Note: For declarations of essential derivation, see sections 40 and 41D.
13 Extension of PBR to cover certain dependent plant varieties
Subject to section 23, if PBR is granted in a plant variety (the
initial variety), the right extends to:
(a) any other plant variety that:
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(i) is not clearly distinguishable from the initial variety;
and
(ii) is clearly distinguishable from any plant variety that was
a matter of common knowledge at the time of the grant
of PBR in the initial variety; and
(b) any other plant variety that cannot be reproduced except by
the repeated use of the initial variety or of a variety referred
to in paragraph (a);
whether or not that other plant variety was in existence at the time
PBR was granted in the initial variety.
14 Extension of PBR to harvested material in certain circumstances
(1) If:
(a) propagating material of a plant variety covered by PBR is
produced or reproduced without the authorisation of the
grantee; and
(b) the grantee does not have a reasonable opportunity to
exercise the grantee’s right in relation to the propagating
material; and
(c) material is harvested from the propagating material;
section 11 operates as if the harvested material were propagating
material.
(2) Subsection (1) applies to so much of the material harvested by a
farmer from propagating material conditioned and reproduced in
the circumstances set out in subsection 17(1) as is not itself
required by the farmer, for the farmer’s own use, for reproductive
purposes.
15 Extension of PBR to products obtained from harvested material
in certain circumstances
If:
(a) propagating material of a plant variety covered by PBR is
produced or reproduced without authorisation of the grantee;
and
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(b) the grantee does not have a reasonable opportunity to
exercise the grantee’s rights in relation to the propagating
material; and
(c) material is harvested from plants grown from the propagating
material but the grantee does not have, in the circumstances
set out in section 14, a reasonable opportunity of exercising
the grantee’s rights in the harvested material; and
(d) products are made from the harvested material;
section 11 operates as if those products were propagating material.
16 Certain acts done for private, experimental or breeding purposes
do not infringe PBR
Any act done in relation to a plant variety covered by PBR that is
done:
(a) privately and for non-commercial purposes; or
(b) for experimental purposes; or
(c) for the purpose of breeding other plant varieties;
does not infringe the PBR.
17 Conditioning and use of farm saved seed does not infringe PBR
(1) If:
(a) a person engaged in farming activities legitimately obtains
propagating material of a plant variety covered by PBR either
by purchase or by previous operation of this section, for use
in such activities; and
(b) the plant variety is not included within a taxon declared
under subsection (2) to be a taxon to which this subsection
does not apply; and
(c) the person subsequently harvests further propagating material
from plants grown from that first-mentioned propagating
material;
the PBR is not infringed by:
(d) the conditioning of so much of that further propagating
material as is required for the person’s use for reproductive
purposes; or
(e) the reproduction of that further propagating material.
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(2) The regulations may declare a particular taxon to be a taxon to
which subsection (1) does not apply.
18 Restrictions on exercise of PBR in certain circumstances
(1) If:
(a) a person is authorised by or under a law of the
Commonwealth or of a State or Territory to do an act
referred to in a paragraph of section 11 in relation to
propagating material of a plant variety; and
(b) the act is one which (apart from this provision) would require
authorisation from the grantee of PBR in the plant variety, or
an exclusive licensee of the grantee; and
(c) before the person does the act, the person either pays
equitable remuneration to the grantee, or an exclusive
licensee of the grantee, in respect of the act or arranges for
the payment of such remuneration; and
(d) the person does the act;
then neither the grantee, nor any exclusive licensee of the grantee,
nor any other person authorised by the grantee or exclusive
licensee, is entitled to exercise PBR in the plant variety against the
person in respect of that act.
(2) To avoid doubt, subsection (1) does not limit the operation of
section 17 in relation to the conditioning or reproduction of
propagating material in the circumstances referred to in that
section.
(3) In this section:
equitable remuneration, in relation to an act done in relation to
propagating material of a plant variety, means an amount:
(a) that is agreed between the person proposing to undertake the
act and the grantee of PBR in the plant variety, or an
exclusive licensee of the grantee; or
(b) if agreement cannot be reached under paragraph (a)—
determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to constitute
equitable remuneration in relation to the act.
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19 Reasonable public access to plant varieties covered by PBR
(1) Subject to subsection (11), the grantee of PBR in a plant variety
must take all reasonable steps to ensure reasonable public access to
that plant variety.
(2) Reasonable public access to a plant variety covered by PBR is
taken to be satisfied if propagating material of reasonable quality is
available to the public at reasonable prices, or as gifts to the public,
in sufficient quantities to meet demand.
(3) For the purpose of ensuring reasonable public access to a plant
variety covered by PBR, the Registrar may, on behalf of the
grantee, in accordance with subsections (4) to (10), license a
person whom the Registrar considers appropriate:
(a) to sell propagating material of plants of that variety; or
(b) to produce propagating material of plants of that variety for
sale;
during such period as the Registrar considers appropriate and on
such terms and conditions (including the provision of reasonable
remuneration to the grantee) as the Registrar considers would be
granted by the grantee in the normal course of business.
(4) If, at any time more than 2 years after the grant of PBR in a plant
variety, a person considers:
(a) that the grantee is failing to comply with subsection (1) in
relation to the variety; and
(b) that the failure affects the person’s interests;
the person may make a written request to the Registrar to exercise
a power under subsection (3) in relation to the variety.
(5) A request must:
(a) set out the reasons why the person considers that the grantee
is failing to comply with subsection (1); and
(b) give particulars of the way in which the person considers that
the failure affects the person’s interests; and
(c) give an address of the person for the purposes of notifications
under this section.
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(5A) An address given under paragraph (5)(c) must be an address in
Australia or New Zealand.
Note: After the time specified in regulations made for the purposes of
subsection 3(2), the address may be an electronic address: see
subsections 3(2), (5) and (6).
(6) The Registrar must:
(a) give the grantee a copy of the request; and
(b) by notification to the grantee, invite the grantee to give the
Registrar, within 30 days after giving the request, a written
statement of the reasons the Registrar should be satisfied that
the grantee:
(i) is complying with subsection (1) in relation to the
variety; or
(ii) will so comply within a reasonable time.
(7) The Registrar must, after considering the request and any statement
given by the grantee in response to the invitation under
paragraph (6)(b):
(a) decide whether or not to exercise the power concerned; and
(b) within 30 days after so deciding, notify the grantee, and the
person making the request, of the decision.
Note: A decision under this subsection is reviewable by the AAT under
section 77.
(8) If the Registrar proposes to exercise a power under subsection (3)
in relation to a plant variety, the Registrar must give public notice:
(a) identifying the variety; and
(b) setting out particulars of any licence the Registrar proposes
to grant; and
(c) inviting persons to apply in writing to the Registrar, within
30 days of the publication of the notice, to be granted that
licence.
(9) The Registrar must not grant any such licence unless:
(a) the Registrar has considered all applications made in
response to the invitation; and
(b) at least one month before granting any such licence, the
Registrar has:
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(i) notified each such applicant of the name of the proposed
licensee; and
(ii) given public notice of the name of the proposed
licensee.
(10) If the Registrar:
(a) has granted a person a licence to produce propagating
material of plants of a particular variety; and
(b) is satisfied that the person will be unable to obtain such
propagating material at a reasonable price or without charge;
the Registrar may, on behalf of the grantee, make that propagating
material available to the person from material stored at a genetic
resource centre.
Note: A decision under this subsection to make propagating material
available is reviewable by the AAT under section 77.
(11) This section does not apply in relation to a plant variety in respect
of which the Registrar certifies, in writing, at the time of the grant
of PBR, that he or she is satisfied that plants of that variety have no
direct use as a consumer product.
Note: A decision under this subsection is reviewable by the AAT under
section 77.
20 PBR is personal property
(1) PBR is personal property and, subject to any conditions imposed
under section 49, is capable of assignment, or of transmission by
will or by operation of law.
(2) An assignment of PBR (otherwise than because of the order of a
court) does not have effect unless it is in writing signed by, or on
behalf of, the assignor and assignee.
(3) If a grantee of PBR in a plant variety gives another person a
licence in that right, the licence binds every successor in title to the
interest of that grantee to the same extent as it was binding on that
grantee of the PBR.
Note 1: The Personal Property Securities Act 2009 applies to PBR, and any
licence in PBR, as intellectual property (see paragraph (d) of the
definition of that phrase in section 10 of that Act). That Act deals with
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security interests in personal property, including intellectual property
and intellectual property licences.
Note 2: Section 106 of the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 corresponds
to subsection 20(3) of this section. Section 106 of that Act provides
for security agreements in relation to intellectual property licences (or
sub-licences) to be binding on successors in title to the licences (or
sub-licences).
21 Registrar must be notified of an assignment of PBR
(1) If a person (the claimant) claims that PBR was assigned or
transmitted to the claimant, the claimant must inform the Registrar
in writing that the claimant has acquired that right, giving
particulars of the manner in which that right was acquired, within
30 days after acquiring that right.
(2) If the Registrar is satisfied that the right has been so assigned or
transmitted, the Registrar must amend the Register by entering the
name of the claimant as the holder of that right.
(3) If the Registrar enters the name of the claimant on the Register as
the holder of PBR, the Registrar must, within 30 days after
entering the name, notify the claimant, and the person who was the
holder before the entry was made, that the entry has been made.
(4) If the Registrar is not satisfied that PBR has been assigned or
transmitted to the claimant, the Registrar must, as soon as possible:
(a) notify the claimant:
(i) that the Registrar is not so satisfied; and
(ii) of the reasons why the Registrar is not so satisfied; and
(b) notify the person entered on the Register as the holder of the
right:
(i) of the particulars of the information given by the
claimant; and
(ii) that the Registrar is not so satisfied; and
(iii) of the reasons why the Registrar is not so satisfied.
(5) A claimant must include, in the notice to the Registrar informing of
the assignment or transmission, an address in Australia or New
Zealand for the service of documents in accordance with this Act.
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Note 1: After the time specified in regulations made for the purposes of
subsection 3(2), the address may be an electronic address: see
subsections 3(2), (5) and (6).
Note 2: A decision under this section to amend or to refuse to amend the
Register is reviewable by the AAT under section 77.
22 Duration of PBR
(1) Subject to subsections (4) and (5), PBR in a plant variety begins on
the day that the grant of PBR in the variety is made.
(2) Subject to subsections (3), (4) and (5), PBR in a plant variety lasts
for:
(a) in the case of trees and vines—25 years; and
(b) for any other variety—20 years.
(3) The regulations may provide that PBR in a plant variety included
within a specified taxon lasts for a longer period than is specified
in subsection (2).
(4) PBR in a plant variety that is a dependent plant variety of another
plant variety begins on:
(a) the day that the grant of PBR in the other plant variety is
made; or
(b) the day that dependent variety comes into existence;
whichever occurs last, and ends when PBR in the other variety
ceases.
(5) If:
(a) PBR is held in a plant variety (the initial variety); and
(b) another plant variety is declared to be an essentially derived
variety of the initial variety;
PBR in the initial variety extends to the essentially derived variety
from the day on which that declaration is made until the day on
which PBR in the initial variety ends.
Note: For declarations of essential derivation, see sections 40 and 41D.
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23 Exhaustion of PBR
(1) PBR granted in a plant variety does not extend to any act referred
to in section 11:
(a) in relation to propagating material of the variety; or
(b) in relation to propagating material of any essentially derived
variety or dependent plant variety;
that takes place after the propagating material has been sold by the
grantee or with the grantee’s consent unless that act:
(c) involves further production or reproduction of the material;
or
(d) involves the export of the material:
(i) to a country that does not provide PBR in relation to the
variety; and
(ii) for a purpose other than final consumption.
(2) If:
(a) a plant variety is declared to be an essentially derived variety
of another plant variety (the initial variety); and
(b) PBR in the essentially derived variety is held both by the
grantee of PBR in the essentially derived variety and by the
grantee of PBR in the initial variety;
the reference in subsection (1) to propagating material sold by the
grantee or with the grantee’s consent is a reference to propagating
material sold by, or with the consent of, both of the grantees
referred to in paragraph (b).
Note: For declarations of essential derivation to which this subsection
applies, see section 40.
(3) If, under subsection 18(1), equitable remuneration is paid, or
arranged to be paid, to the grantee of PBR, or an exclusive licensee
of the grantee, in a plant variety in respect of an act (the first act)
in relation to propagating material of that variety before the person
does the act, PBR in that variety does not extend to any later act
(the later act) referred to in section 11 in relation to that
propagating material unless the later act:
(a) involves the further production or reproduction of that
propagating material; or
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(b) involves the export of the material:
(i) to a country that does not provide PBR in relation to the
variety; and
(ii) for a purpose other than final consumption.
(4) To avoid doubt, nothing in subsection (1) or (3) prevents the
exercise of the rights of the grantee of PBR in a plant variety in
relation to any propagating material of that variety that is obtained
by reproduction of the propagating material to which that
subsection applies.
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Section 24
Part 3—Application for plant breeder’s right
Division 1—The making of the application
24 Right to apply for PBR
(1) A breeder of a plant variety may make application to the Registrar
for the grant of a PBR in the variety.
(2) The breeder can make the application whether or not:
(a) the breeder is an Australian citizen; and
(b) the breeder is resident in Australia; and
(c) the variety was bred in Australia.
(3) Subject to subsection (4), if 2 or more persons bred a plant variety
jointly, those persons or some of them may make a joint
application for that right.
(4) If 2 or more persons bred a plant variety jointly, one of those
persons is not entitled to apply for PBR in the variety otherwise
than jointly with, or with the consent in writing of, each other of
those persons.
25 Right to apply for PBR is personal property
(1) The right of a breeder of a plant variety to apply for PBR is
personal property and is capable of assignment and of transmission
by will or by operation of law.
(2) An assignment of a right to apply for PBR must be in writing
signed by or on behalf of the assignor.
Note: The Personal Property Securities Act 2009 deals with security
interests in personal property, including a right to apply for PBR.
26 Form of application for PBR
(1) An application for PBR in a plant variety must be in the approved
form.
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(1A) Without limiting subsection (1), the approved form must require
the inclusion of an address in Australia or New Zealand for service,
being an address that is in accordance with the requirements of the
approved form.
Note: After the time specified in regulations made for the purposes of
subsection 3(2), the address may be an electronic address: see
subsections 3(2), (5) and (6).
(2) The application must contain:
(a) the name and address of the applicant; and
(b) if the applicant is using an agent to make the application on
the applicant’s behalf—the name and address of the agent;
and
(c) if the applicant is the breeder of the variety—a statement of
that effect; and
(d) if the applicant is not the breeder of the variety—the name
and address of the breeder and particulars of the assignment,
or transmission by will or by operation of law, of the right to
make the application; and
(e) a brief description, or a brief description and photograph, of a
plant of the variety sufficient to establish a prima facie case
that the variety is distinct from other varieties of common
knowledge; and
(f) the name of the variety, having regard to the requirements of
section 27, and any proposed synonym for that name; and
(g) the name of the location at which the variety was bred; and
(ga) the name of each variety (the parent variety) used in the
breeding program including, in respect of each parent
variety:
(i) particulars of the names (including synonyms) by which
the parent variety is known or sold in Australia; and
(ii) particulars of any PBR granted in Australia or in any
other contracting party; and
(gb) a brief description of the manner in which the variety was
bred; and
(h) particulars of any application for, or grant of, rights of any
kind in the variety in any other country; and
(i) the name of an approved person who:
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(i) will verify the particulars in the application; and
(ii) will supervise any test growing or further test growing
of the variety required under section 37; and
(iii) will verify a detailed description of the variety when
such a description is supplied to the Registrar;
(j) such other particulars (if any) as are required by the approved
form.
Note: The information given under paragraph (ga) is not available to the
public under section 36.
(4) An applicant must, before, or at the time of, lodging an application
under this section, pay to the Commonwealth such application fee
(if any) as is prescribed.
27 Names of new plant varieties
(1) If PBR has not been granted in another contracting party in a plant
variety before an application for that right in that variety is made in
Australia, the name set out in the application must comply with
subsections (4), (5), (6) and (7).
(2) If, before making an application in Australia for PBR in a plant
variety, PBR has been granted in that variety in another contracting
party:
(a) the name of the variety set out in the Australian application
must be the name under which PBR was first granted in
another contracting party; but
(b) there may, and, if the name referred to in paragraph (a) does
not comply with subsections (4), (5), (6) and (7) there must,
also be included in the application a synonym, additional to
the name of the variety.
(3) The synonym must be a name determined in accordance with
subsections (4), (5), (6) and (7) as if the variety had not been the
subject of a grant of PBR in another contracting party.
(3A) If, before making an application in Australia for PBR in a plant
variety, PBR has not been granted in that variety in another
contracting party, a synonym may also be included in the
application.
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(4) A name (including a synonym), in respect of a plant variety, must
be a word or words (whether invented or not) with or without the
addition of either or both of the following:
(a) a letter or letters that do not constitute a word;
(b) a figure or figures.
(5) A name (including a synonym), in respect of a plant variety must
not:
(a) be likely to deceive or cause confusion, including confusion
with the name of another plant variety of the same plant
class; or
(b) be contrary to law; or
(c) contain scandalous or offensive matter; or
(d) be prohibited by regulations in force at the time of the
application; or
(e) be or include a trade mark that is registered, or whose
registration is being sought, under the Trade Marks Act 1995,
in respect of live plants, plant cells and plant tissues.
(6) A name (including a synonym), in respect of a plant variety must
comply with the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature and
subsidiary codes.
(7) A name (including a synonym), in respect of a plant variety must
not consist of, or include:
(a) the name of a natural person living at the time of the
application unless the person has given written consent to the
name of the variety; or
(b) the name of a natural person who died within the period of 10
years before the application unless the legal personal
representative of the person has given written consent to the
name of the variety; or
(c) the name of a corporation or other organisation, unless the
corporation or other organisation has given its written
consent to the name of the variety.
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28 Applications to be given priority dates
(1) The Registrar must ensure that each application for PBR is given a
priority date.
(2) The priority date is, unless section 29 applies in relation to the
application, the date on which the application was lodged with the
Registrar or, if another date is determined under the regulations for
the application, the date determined.
(3) If 2 or more applications are made for PBR in the same plant
variety, the Registrar must first consider the application having the
earlier priority date.
29 Priority dates arising from foreign application
(1) If:
(a) a person has lodged an application for PBR in a plant variety
in one or more contracting parties other than Australia; and
(b) within a period of 12 months after the date that the earliest of
those applications (the foreign application) was lodged, the
person lodges an application in Australia (the local
application) for PBR in the variety; and
(c) the local application is accompanied with a claim to have the
date of lodgment of the foreign application treated as the
priority date for the purposes of the local application; and
(d) the local application is accepted;
the person is entitled to have the date of lodgment of the foreign
application treated as the priority date for the purposes of the local
application, subject to subsections (3) and (4).
(3) The entitlement of the person to have the date of lodgment of the
foreign application treated as the priority date for the purposes of
the local application is conditional on the person lodging with the
Registrar, within 3 months of making the local application, a copy
of the documents that constituted the foreign application, certified
by the Authority that received the foreign application to be a true
copy of the documents.
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(4) The entitlement of the person to have the date of lodgment of the
foreign application treated as the priority date for the purposes of
the local application is conditional on the person providing to the
Registrar, within a period of 5 years after the making of the foreign
application, such further particulars in relation to the plant variety
as are required to complete the consideration of the local
application.
30 Acceptance or rejection of applications
(1) The Registrar must, as soon as practicable after an application for
PBR is lodged in a plant variety, decide whether to accept or reject
the application.
(2) If the Registrar is satisfied that:
(a) no other application has, or, if the application were to meet
the requirements of paragraphs (b) and (c), would have, an
earlier priority date in the variety; and
(b) the application complies with the requirements of section 26;
and
(c) the application establishes a prima facie case for treating the
plant variety as distinct from other varieties;
the Registrar must accept the application.
(3) If the Registrar is not satisfied of all of the matters referred to in
subsection (2), the Registrar must reject the application.
(4) If the Registrar decides to accept the application, the Registrar
must:
(a) notify the applicant that the application has been accepted;
and
(b) as soon as possible after notifying the applicant—give public
notice of the acceptance of the application.
(5) If the Registrar decides to reject an application, the Registrar must:
(a) notify the applicant of the rejection and of the reasons for the
rejection; and
(b) as soon as possible after notifying the applicant—give public
notice of the rejection of the application.
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Section 31
Note: A decision under this section to accept or reject an application is
reviewable by the AAT under section 77.
31 Requests for variation of application
(1) If:
(a) after an application for PBR in a plant variety has been
accepted; but
(b) before concluding the examination of that application
(including the subsequent detailed description of that variety)
and of any objection to the application;
the right of the applicant to apply for PBR in a particular plant
variety is assigned to, or has been transmitted by will or operation
of law to, another person, that other person may request the
Registrar, in writing, to vary the application so that that other
person is shown as the applicant.
(2) If the Registrar is satisfied that the right to apply for PBR in a
particular plant variety has been assigned to, or has been
transmitted by will or operation of law to, to a particular person,
the Registrar must vary the application so that that person is shown
as the applicant.
(3) A request by a person under subsection (1) must give an address in
Australia or New Zealand for the service of documents on the
person for the purposes of this Act.
Note: After the time specified in regulations made for the purposes of
subsection 3(2), the address may be an electronic address: see
subsections 3(2), (5) and (6).
(4) If the Registrar complies with a request under subsection (1) and
the address for the service of documents that is given in connection
with that request is different from the address contained in the
application as the address for service of documents on the
applicant, the Registrar must vary the application so that the
address so given is shown as the address for service of documents
on the applicant.
(5) If:
(a) after an application for PBR in a plant variety has been
accepted; but
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(b) before concluding the examination of that application
(including the subsequent detailed description of that variety)
and of any objection to the application;
the applicant requests the Registrar, in writing, to vary the
application in any other respect other than that referred to in
subsection (1), the Registrar may, in his or her discretion, vary the
application in accordance with the request.
(6) Despite the previous provisions of this section, the Registrar is not
obliged or permitted to vary an application in response to a request
under this section unless the person making the application for the
variation has paid to the Commonwealth the application variation
fee that is prescribed for the purposes of this section.
Note: A decision under this section to vary or to refuse to vary an
application is reviewable by the AAT under section 77.
32 Notification of decisions on requests to vary application
(1) If the Registrar varies an application in accordance with a request
under subsection 31(1) or (5), the Registrar must, as soon as
practicable, notify the person making the request that the
application has been so varied.
(2) If the Registrar rejects a request under subsection 31(1) or (5), the
Registrar must, as soon as practicable, notify the person making the
request:
(a) that the request has been rejected; and
(b) of the reasons for the rejection.
(3) If the Registrar rejects a request under subsection 31(1), the
Registrar must, as soon as practicable, also notify the applicant:
(a) of the particulars of the request; and
(b) that the request has been rejected; and
(c) of the reasons for the rejection.
(4) If the Registrar varies an application in accordance with a request
under subsection 31(1), the Registrar must, as soon as practicable,
also notify particulars of the variation to the person who was the
applicant before the variation was made.
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(5) If an application:
(a) is varied because of a request under subsection 31(1); or
(b) is varied because of a request under subsection 31(5) in a
significant respect;
the Registrar must, as soon as practicable, give public notice of
particulars of the variation.
33 Withdrawal of application
(1) An application may be withdrawn by the applicant at any time.
(2) If an application is withdrawn after public notice of acceptance of
the application is given, the Registrar must, as soon as practicable,
give public notice of the withdrawal.
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Division 2—Dealing with the application after its
acceptance
34 Detailed description in support of application to be given to
Registrar
(1) As soon as practicable after, but not later than 12 months after, an
application has been accepted, or within such further period as the
Registrar allows for the purpose, the applicant must, if the
applicant has not already done so, give the Registrar a detailed
description of the plant variety to which the application relates.
Note: A decision under this subsection to refuse to extend the 12 months
period is reviewable by the AAT under section 77.
(2) If the applicant fails to give the Registrar the detailed description
required under this section within the required period, the
application is taken to have been withdrawn.
(3) The detailed description must be in the approved form.
(4) The detailed description must contain:
(a) particulars of the characteristics that distinguish the variety
from other plant varieties the existence of which is a matter
of common knowledge; and
(b) particulars of:
(i) any test growing carried out, including a test growing
carried out as required under section 37, to establish that
the variety is distinct, uniform and stable; and
(ii) any test growing carried out as required under
section 41 or 41E (both of which deal with test growing
of essentially derived varieties); and
(c) if the variety was bred outside Australia—particulars of any
test growing outside Australia that tend to establish that the
variety will, if grown in Australia, be distinct, uniform and
stable; and
(d) such other particulars (if any) as are required by the approved
form;
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and must be accompanied by a certificate, in the approved form,
verifying the particulars of the detailed description, completed by
the approved person nominated in the application as the approved
person in relation to that application.
(5) The Registrar must, as soon as practicable after receiving a detailed
description of a plant variety to which an application for PBR
relates, give public notice of that description.
(6) The applicant must:
(a) unless paragraph (b) applies—within 12 months after the
application has been accepted; and
(b) if the detailed description has been given to the Registrar
before the end of that period—at the time when the
description was given;
pay to the Commonwealth such examination fee as is prescribed.
(7) Subsection (6) does not apply to an applicant if, when the
examination fee would become payable apart from this subsection:
(a) the plant variety to which the application relates is subject to
biosecurity control; or
(b) a biosecurity control order is in force in relation to the plant
variety to which the application relates; or
(c) a biosecurity response zone determination is in force and the
plant variety to which the application relates is in the
biosecurity response zone.
(8) If subsection (7) applies, the applicant must pay the prescribed
examination fee within 12 months after (as the case requires):
(a) the plant variety is released from biosecurity control; or
(b) the biosecurity control order ceases to be in force in relation
to the plant variety; or
(c) the biosecurity response zone determination ceases to be in
force.
35 Objection to application for PBR
(1) Any person who considers, in relation to an application for PBR in
a plant variety that has been accepted:
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(a) that his or her commercial interests would be affected by the
grant of that PBR to the applicant; and
(b) that the Registrar cannot be satisfied, in relation to that
application, of a matter referred to in a paragraph of
subsection 26(2) or in subparagraph 44(1)(b)(i), (ii), (iii),
(iv), (v), (vi), (vii) or (viii);
may lodge a written objection to the grant of PBR with the
Registrar at any time after the giving of that public notice of
acceptance of the application and before the end of the period of 6
months starting with the public notice of that detailed description.
(2) An objection must set out:
(a) particulars of the manner in which the person considers his or
her commercial interests would be affected; and
(b) the reasons why the person considers that the Registrar
cannot be satisfied of a matter referred to in paragraph (1)(b).
(2A) An objection is of no effect unless it is accompanied by the
prescribed fee.
(3) The Registrar must give a copy of the objection to the applicant.
36 Inspection of applications and objections
(1) A person may, at any reasonable time, inspect an application for
PBR in a plant variety (including any detailed description of the
plant variety given in support of the application) or an objection
lodged in respect of that application (including that detailed
description).
(2) A person is entitled, on payment of such fee as is prescribed, to be
given a copy of an application for PBR in a plant variety, of an
objection to such an application, or of a detailed description of the
plant variety.
(3) However, this section does not entitle a person to inspect the part
of the application that contains the information referred to in
paragraph 26(2)(ga) or to have a copy of the part of the application
containing that information, unless the person is:
(a) the applicant; or
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(b) the applicant’s authorised agent; or
(c) the Minister; or
(d) the Registrar; or
(e) a person who is required to inspect the part of the application
in the course of performing his or her duties in accordance
with this Act; or
(f) a person prescribed for the purposes of this subsection.
37 Test growing of plant varieties
(1) If, in dealing with:
(a) an application for PBR that has been accepted; or
(b) an objection to such an application for PBR; or
(c) a request for revocation of PBR;
the Registrar decides that there should be a test growing or a
further test growing of the variety to which the application,
objection or request relates, the Registrar:
(d) must notify that decision:
(i) to the person who made the application, objection or
request; and
(ii) in the case of an objection to an application for PBR—
also to the applicant; and
(iii) in the case of a request for revocation of PBR—also to
the grantee; and
(e) may also notify that decision to any other person whom the
Registrar considers appropriate if the test growing or further
test growing is a comparative test growing.
Note: A decision under this subsection to require a test growing is
reviewable by the AAT under section 77.
(2) The notification, in addition to telling the person of the Registrar’s
decision:
(a) must specify the purpose of the test growing; and
(b) may require the person:
(i) to supply the Registrar with sufficient plants or
sufficient propagating material of plants of the variety,
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and with any necessary information, to enable the
Registrar to arrange a test growing; or
(ii) to make arrangements for an approved person to
supervise the test growing, to supply the approved
person with sufficient plants or propagating material to
enable the test growing, to give the Registrar a copy of
the records of observations made during the test
growing and to certify the records of observations so
provided;
whichever the Registrar considers appropriate.
(2A) A person to whom a notification is given under this section must
comply with the requirements of the notification:
(a) in the case of trees and vines, or propagating materials of
trees and vines—within 2 years from the date the notification
is given; and
(b) in the case of other species of plant or propagating materials
of other species of plant—within 12 months from that date.
(2B) If a person, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with the
requirements of a notification given under this section, the
Registrar may:
(a) if the person is the grantee—revoke PBR, in the plant variety
to which the notification relates, under section 50; or
(b) if the person made an application, objection or request—
decide not to further proceed with the application, objection
or request for revocation.
Note: A decision not to further proceed with the application, objection or
request for revocation is reviewable by the AAT under section 77.
(3) If a notification under this section contains the requirement
referred to in subparagraph (2)(b)(i) and the applicant complies
with the request, the Registrar must arrange to have the variety
concerned test grown.
(4) After completion of a test growing arranged by the Registrar, any
propagating material of the variety used in, or resulting from, the
test growing, that is capable of being transported must be delivered
to the person by whom propagating material of that variety was
supplied for the purposes of the test growing.
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(5) All of the costs associated with a test growing must be paid:
(a) if it is conducted to deal with an application for PBR—by the
applicant for PBR; or
(b) if it is conducted to deal with an objection to an application
for PBR:
(i) by the applicant for PBR, where the test growing shows
that there are valid reasons for the objection; or
(ii) by the objector, in any other case; or
(c) if it is conducted to deal with a request for revocation of
PBR:
(i) by the grantee, where the test growing shows that there
are valid reasons for the request; or
(ii) by the person making the request, in any other case.
(6) If a contracting party, or a national or an organisation of a
contracting party, requests the Registrar to conduct in Australia a
test growing of a plant variety, the Registrar may decide to conduct
the test growing as so requested.
(7) If the Registrar decides to conduct a test growing under
subsection (6), subsections (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) apply to such
test growing as if:
(a) the person or organisation requesting the test growing under
subsection (6) was an applicant for PBR; and
(b) the test growing had been decided on in relation to that
application.
38 Characteristics of plant varieties bred or test grown outside
Australia
(1) If:
(a) a plant variety (the subject variety):
(i) was bred outside Australia; or
(ii) was bred in Australia but, before an application for PBR
was made in Australia, an application for PBR was
made in a contracting party other than Australia; and
(b) an application under this Act for PBR in the variety has been
accepted;
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the variety is not to be taken to have a particular characteristic
unless subsection (2), (3), (4) or (5) applies to the variety.
(2) This subsection applies to the subject variety if a test growing in
Australia has demonstrated that the variety has the particular
characteristic.
(3) This subsection applies to the subject variety if:
(a) a test growing of the variety has been carried out outside
Australia; and
(b) that test growing has demonstrated that the variety has the
particular characteristic; and
(c) under an agreement between Australia and the country in
which the test growing was carried out, Australia is required
to accept that the variety has that particular characteristic.
(4) This subsection applies to the subject variety if the Registrar is
satisfied that:
(a) a test growing of the variety carried out outside Australia has
demonstrated that the variety has the particular characteristic;
and
(b) that test growing of the variety is equivalent to a test growing
of the variety in Australia.
(5) This subsection applies to the subject variety if the Registrar is
satisfied that:
(a) a test growing of the variety carried out outside Australia has
demonstrated that the variety has the particular characteristic;
and
(b) any test growing of the variety carried out in Australia would
probably demonstrate that the variety has that characteristic;
and
(c) if a test growing of the variety in Australia sufficient to
demonstrate whether the variety has that characteristic were
to be carried out, it would take longer than 2 years.
Note: A decision to the effect that the Registrar is, or is not, satisfied of the
matters referred to in subsection (4) or (5) is reviewable by the AAT
under section 77.
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Section 39
Division 3—Provisional protection
39 Provisional protection
(1) When an application for PBR in a plant variety is accepted, the
applicant is taken to be the grantee of that right for the purposes of
Part 5 from the day the application is accepted until:
(a) the application is disposed of; or
(b) if the Registrar gives the applicant a notification under
subsection (2)—the notification is disposed of;
whichever occurs first.
(2) If the Registrar is satisfied in relation to an application for PBR in
a plant variety, that:
(a) PBR will not be granted or is unlikely to be granted to the
applicant; or
(aa) a decision has been taken under paragraph 37(2B)(b) not to
proceed with the application; or
(ab) the application has been withdrawn; or
(b) the applicant has given an undertaking to a person (whether
or not for consideration) not to commence proceedings for
infringement of the right of which the applicant is deemed to
be the grantee; or
(c) at least 12 months have elapsed since the publication of the
detailed description that was given to the Registrar under
subsection 34(1);
the Registrar may notify the applicant that this section will cease to
apply to that variety on a day specified in the notification unless,
before that time the applicant has made a submission to the
Registrar providing reasons why this section should not cease to
apply.
Note: A decision under this subsection to notify an applicant is reviewable
by the AAT under section 77.
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b) a notification referred to in
that paragraph is not taken to be disposed of until:
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(a) the end of the period within which application may be made
to the AAT for a review of the giving of the notification; or
(b) if such an application is made to the AAT—the application is
withdrawn or finally determined, whether by the AAT or a
court.
(4) As soon as practicable after a person ceases to be taken to be the
grantee of PBR under this section, the Registrar must give public
notice that the person has ceased to be so taken.
(5) Nothing in this section affects the power of:
(a) the Federal Court, or a Judge of that Court, under
subsection 44A(2) of the AAT Act; or
(b) the Federal Circuit Court, or a Judge of that Court, under
subsection 44A(2A) of that Act;
where an appeal is begun in that court from a decision of the AAT.
(6) A person who is taken to be the grantee of PBR in a plant variety is
not entitled to begin an action or proceeding for an infringement of
that right occurring during the period when the person is so taken
unless and until that right is finally granted to the person under
section 44.
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Section 40
Division 4—Essential derivation
40 Essential derivation for PBR-protected varieties—declaration
(1) A person (an eligible person) may make an application under
subsection (1A) if the person is:
(a) the grantee of PBR in a plant variety; or
(b) an exclusive licensee of such a grantee.
(1A) An eligible person in relation to a plant variety (the initial variety)
may apply in writing to the Registrar for a declaration that another
variety (the second variety) is essentially derived from the initial
variety if:
(a) another person is the grantee of, or has applied for, PBR in
the second variety; and
(b) the eligible person is satisfied that the second variety is
essentially derived from the initial variety; and
(c) the initial variety has not itself been declared (under
section 40 or 41D) to be essentially derived from another
variety in which PBR has been granted.
Note 1: If the breeder of the second variety has not applied for, or been
granted, PBR in the second variety, an eligible person may apply
under section 41A for a declaration that the second variety is
essentially derived from the initial variety.
Note 2: If an application for PBR in the second variety is made after an
application is made under section 41A in relation to that variety, the
application under section 41A may be treated as if it were an
application under this section (see section 41F).
(1B) The Registrar must notify the application under subsection (1A) to
each eligible person in relation to the initial variety other than the
applicant.
(1C) If an eligible person in relation to a plant variety (the initial
variety) applies for a declaration under subsection (1A) in relation
to another plant variety (the second variety), that does not prevent
another eligible person in relation to the initial variety also
applying for a declaration under that subsection in relation to the
second variety.
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(2) Nothing in this section implies that an eligible person in relation to
a plant variety (the initial variety) may not, in relation to an
application by another person for PBR in another plant variety (the
second variety) that has been accepted but not finally determined:
(a) make an objection, under section 35, to the granting of PBR
in the second variety; and
(b) in the alternative, if PBR is granted to another person in the
second variety—apply under subsection (1A) for a
declaration that the second variety is essentially derived from
the initial variety.
(3) If the second variety:
(a) is the subject of an application for PBR; and
(b) is also the subject of an application for a declaration of
essential derivation;
then, unless and until the Registrar decides to grant the application
for PBR:
(c) the Registrar must not make the declaration of essential
derivation; but
(d) the Registrar may, in his or her discretion:
(i) examine both the application for PBR and the
application for a declaration of essential derivation at
the same time; and
(ii) for the purpose only of examining the application for a
declaration of essential derivation—treat the applicant
for PBR as the grantee of PBR in the variety.
(4) An application for a declaration of essential derivation must:
(a) be in the approved form; and
(b) be accompanied by the prescribed fee in respect of the
application.
(5) An application must contain such information relevant to
establishing a prima facie case that the second variety is an
essentially derived variety of the initial variety as is required by the
form.
(6) If the initial variety has itself been declared to be essentially
derived from another variety, the Registrar must:
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(a) refuse to declare the second variety essentially derived from
the initial variety; and
(b) notify each eligible person in relation to the initial variety
(including the applicant) of the refusal and the reasons for it.
(7) If the initial variety has not been so declared, the Registrar must
determine, on the basis of the application, whether the Registrar is
satisfied that there is a prima facie case that the second variety is
an essentially derived variety of the initial variety.
(8) If the Registrar is satisfied of that prima facie case, the Registrar
must:
(a) notify the applicant and the grantee of PBR in the second
variety that the Registrar is so satisfied; and
(b) notify the grantee of PBR in the second variety that, unless
the grantee establishes, within 30 days after being so notified
or such longer period as the Registrar allows, that the second
variety is not an essentially derived variety of the initial
variety, the Registrar will, at the end of that period, declare
the second variety to be such an essentially derived variety.
Note: A decision under this subsection to refuse to extend the period of 30
days is reviewable by the AAT under section 77.
(9) If the Registrar is not satisfied of that prima facie case, the
Registrar must notify each eligible person in relation to the initial
variety (including the applicant) that the Registrar is not so
satisfied, and of the reasons for not being so satisfied.
(10) If, after considering:
(a) the information presented by the grantee of PBR in the
second variety; and
(b) any information obtained from a test growing conducted in
accordance with section 41; and
(c) any other relevant information obtained by the Registrar;
the Registrar is not satisfied that the grantee of PBR in the second
variety has rebutted the prima facie case, the Registrar must:
(d) declare, in writing, that the second variety is an essentially
derived variety of the initial variety; and
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(e) notify each eligible person in relation to the initial variety
(including the applicant) of the declaration; and
(f) notify the grantee of PBR in the second variety of the
declaration and of the reasons for not being satisfied that the
prima facie case has been rebutted.
(11) If, after considering the information referred to in
paragraph (10)(a), (b) or (c), the Registrar is satisfied that the
grantee of PBR in the second variety has rebutted the prima facie
case, the Registrar must:
(a) notify each eligible person in relation to the initial variety
(including the applicant) that he or she is so satisfied, and of
the reasons for being so satisfied; and
(b) notify the grantee of PBR in the second variety that he or she
is so satisfied.
(12) While a declaration under this section that the second variety is
essentially derived from the initial variety remains in force,
section 19 applies in relation to the second variety as if:
(a) the references in that section to the grantee, in relation to that
variety were references both to the person holding PBR in
that variety and to the person holding PBR in the initial
variety; and
(b) the reference in subsection 19(4) to 2 years after the grant of
PBR were a reference to 2 years after the grant of PBR in the
second variety whether or not the declaration of essential
derivation was made at the same time or a later time; and
(c) a failure by the other person holding PBR in the initial
variety or the person holding PBR in the second variety to
co-operate in making the second variety available to the
public in accordance with the requirements of
subsection 19(1) was a failure of the grantee to comply with
the requirements of that subsection.
Note 1: Section 19 requires the grantee of PBR in a plant variety to take
reasonable steps to ensure reasonable public access to the plant
variety.
Note 2: A decision under this section to declare, or not to declare, a plant
variety essentially derived is reviewable by the AAT under section 77.
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Section 41
41 Essential derivation for PBR-protected varieties—test growing
(1) This section applies if:
(a) an eligible person applies for a declaration under section 40
in relation to a plant variety (the initial variety) that another
plant variety (the second variety) is essentially derived from
the initial variety; and
(b) in the course of that application the applicant establishes a
prima facie case that the second variety is essentially derived
from the initial variety.
(1A) On the basis of information supplied by the applicant and the
grantee of PBR in the second variety, the Registrar may decide that
a test growing or further test growing is required to determine
whether the prima facie case has been rebutted.
Note: A decision to require a test growing is reviewable by the AAT under
section 77.
(1B) The Registrar must notify the decision to each of the following:
(a) the applicant;
(b) the grantee of PBR in the second variety.
(2) The notification must require:
(a) the applicant to supply the Registrar with sufficient plants or
sufficient propagating material of plants of that variety and
with any necessary information; and
(b) the grantee of PBR in the second variety to supply the
Registrar with sufficient plants or sufficient propagating
material of plants of that second variety and with any
necessary information;
to enable the Registrar to arrange a test growing.
(3) After completion of the test growing, any propagating material of a
variety used in, or resulting from, the test growing that is capable
of being transported must be delivered to the person by whom
propagating material of that variety was supplied for the purpose of
the test growing.
(4) All costs associated with the test growing must be paid by the
person who, without the test growing, failed to rebut the prima
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facie case of essential derivation, whether or not the test growing
led to rebuttal of that case.
(5) If the Registrar requires a test growing or further test growing
under this section, paragraph 40(8)(b) has effect as if the reference
in that paragraph to 30 days after being so notified were a reference
to 30 days after being notified of the results of the test growing.
41A Essential derivation for non-PBR-protected second varieties—
application for declaration
Circumstances in which application may be made
(1) A person (an eligible person) may make an application under
subsection (2) if the person is:
(a) the grantee of PBR in a plant variety; or
(b) an exclusive licensee of such a grantee.
(2) An eligible person in relation to a plant variety (the initial variety)
may apply in writing to the Registrar for a declaration under
section 41D that another variety (the second variety) is essentially
derived from the initial variety if:
(a) PBR has not been applied for, or granted, in the second
variety; and
(b) the eligible person is satisfied that the second variety is
essentially derived from the initial variety; and
(c) the initial variety has not itself been declared (under
section 40 or 41D) to be essentially derived from another
variety in which PBR has been granted.
Content of application
(3) The application must:
(a) be in the approved form; and
(b) be accompanied by such fee (if any) as is prescribed by the
regulations in respect of the application.
(4) Without limiting what the approved form may require, the
application must contain:
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(a) such information as is required by the form that is relevant to
establishing, on the balance of probabilities, that the second
variety is:
(i) essentially derived from the initial variety; and
(ii) a registrable plant variety within the meaning of
section 43; and
(b) either:
(i) such information as is required by the form that is
necessary to enable the Registrar to notify the
application to the person (or persons) the applicant
reasonably believes to be the breeder of the second
variety; or
(ii) evidence that the applicant cannot comply with
subparagraph (i), despite taking reasonable steps to
obtain the information mentioned in that subparagraph.
(5) The Registrar must refuse to consider the application if satisfied
that the applicant has failed to comply with subparagraph (4)(b)(i),
unless the Registrar is satisfied that the applicant, after taking
reasonable steps to obtain the information mentioned in that
subparagraph, cannot do so.
Note: A decision under this subsection is reviewable by the AAT under
section 77.
Notifying other eligible persons and the breeder of the second
variety
(6) The Registrar must notify an application to:
(a) each eligible person in relation to the initial variety other than
the applicant; and
(b) if the application includes sufficient information for the
Registrar to do so—the person (or persons) the applicant
reasonably believes to be the breeder of the second variety.
(7) The notification of the application must include a statement to the
effect that the application has been, or will be, published in the
Plant Varieties Journal under subsection 41B(1).
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Multiple applications
(8) If an eligible person in relation to a plant variety (the initial
variety) applies for a declaration under subsection (2) in relation to
another plant variety (the second variety), that does not prevent
another eligible person in relation to the initial variety also
applying for a declaration under that subsection in relation to the
second variety.
41B Essential derivation for non-PBR-protected varieties—
publication of applications
(1) As soon as practicable after an application under section 41A is
made, the Registrar must publish a notification of the application in
the Plant Varieties Journal including information about the
applicant and the application, and any related information,
prescribed by the regulations.
(2) At any time or times before making a decision on the application,
the Registrar may publish further notification of the application in
the Plant Varieties Journal, including information (or updated
information) about the matters prescribed by regulations made for
the purposes of subsection (1).
(3) However, the Registrar must not publish any information in a
notification under subsection (1) or (2) if the Registrar is satisfied
that the information is commercial-in-confidence.
Note: A decision not to publish information for this reason is reviewable by
the AAT under section 77.
(4) Information is commercial-in-confidence if the applicant
demonstrates to the Registrar that:
(a) release of the information would cause competitive detriment
to the applicant; and
(b) the information is not in the public domain; and
(c) the information is not required to be disclosed under another
Australian law; and
(d) the information is not readily discoverable.
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(5) However, this section does not apply if the Registrar refuses to
consider an application under subsection 41A(5).
Note: Subsection 41A(5) requires the Registrar to refuse to consider an
application if the applicant does not include sufficient information to
enable the person (or persons) the applicant reasonably believes to be
the breeder of the second variety to be notified, unless the Registrar is
satisfied that the applicant took reasonable steps to obtain such
information.
41C Essential derivation for non-PBR-protected varieties—
opportunity to be heard
Opportunity to be heard for interested persons
(1) Before making a decision in relation to an application under
section 41A for a declaration under section 41D that a plant variety
(the second variety) is essentially derived from another plant
variety, the Registrar must give an opportunity to be heard under
this section to the following persons (each of whom is an
interested person):
(a) a person notified under paragraph 41A(6)(b);
(b) another person who claims to have an interest in the second
variety.
Note: Paragraph 41A(6)(b) provides for the Registrar to notify a person (or
persons) the applicant reasonably believes to be the breeder of the
second variety.
(2) Subsection (1) only applies if the interested person gives the
Registrar an address for service in Australia or New Zealand within
the hearing period.
(3) The hearing period is the period of 2 months after:
(a) if the Registrar notifies the application to a person (or
persons) under paragraph 41A(6)(b)—the later of the
following days:
(i) the day the application is notified;
(ii) the day notification of the application is last published
in the Plant Varieties Journal; or
(b) if the Registrar does not notify the application to a person (or
persons) under paragraph 41A(6)(b)—the day notification of
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the application is last published in the Plant Varieties
Journal.
Note: The hearing period is the minimum period for considering the
application (see subsection 41D(5)).
Information given in accordance with the opportunity to be heard
(4) For the purposes of section 41D, information is given by an
interested person in accordance with the person’s opportunity to be
heard if the information is given in accordance with regulations
prescribed for the purposes of this subsection.
(5) Regulations made for the purposes of subsection (4) may, without
limiting that subsection, include reasonable requirements in
relation to the following:
(a) the giving of written information at the request of the
Registrar;
(b) the giving of oral information at a hearing convened by the
Registrar;
(c) when, where and in what circumstances such a hearing may
be convened;
(d) the practice and procedure for any such hearings, including
provision for the Registrar to determine such practice and
procedure (whether generally or in relation to a particular
hearing);
(e) the payment of any fees that are prescribed by the regulations
in relation to the opportunity to be heard.
Interested person declines the opportunity to be heard
(6) For the purposes of section 41D, an interested person declines the
opportunity to be heard if the person:
(a) gives the Registrar notice that the person does not want to be
heard; or
(b) fails to give any information in accordance with the person’s
opportunity to be heard under subsection (4).
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41D Essential derivation for non-PBR-protected varieties—
declaration
Making the decision
(1) On an application under section 41A for a declaration under this
section that a plant variety (the second variety) is essentially
derived from another plant variety (the initial variety), the
Registrar may:
(a) declare in writing that the second variety is essentially
derived from the initial variety; or
(b) refuse to make such a declaration.
Note 1: A decision under this section is reviewable by the AAT under
section 77.
Note 2: The Registrar must refuse to make a declaration under this section if
the applicant fails to comply with a requirement under
paragraph 41E(3)(a) in relation to a test growing.
Note 3: The Registrar must not make a decision under this section if an
application for PBR in the second variety is made under section 24
(see section 41F).
(2) The Registrar must make a declaration under subsection (1) if, and
only if:
(a) he or she is satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the
second variety is:
(i) essentially derived from the initial variety; and
(ii) a registrable plant variety within the meaning of
section 43; and
(b) the initial variety is not itself declared (under section 40 or
this section) to be essentially derived from another plant
variety.
(3) In deciding whether to make a declaration under subsection (1), the
Registrar must consider the following:
(a) the information in the application;
(b) any information given by an interested person in accordance
with the person’s opportunity to be heard under
subsection 41C(4);
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(c) any information obtained in a test growing conducted in
accordance with section 41E;
(d) any other relevant information.
(4) For the purposes of making the decision, the Registrar may draw
an inference that is unfavourable to the interests of an interested
person (within the meaning of section 41C) if the person, within
the hearing period:
(a) does not give the Registrar an address for service for the
purposes of subsection 41C(2); or
(b) declines the opportunity to be heard under subsection 41C(6).
Time for making decision
(5) The Registrar must not make a decision in relation to the
application before the end of the hearing period.
Note: For the hearing period, see subsection 41C(3).
Notification of decision
(6) If the Registrar makes a decision under subsection (1), the
Registrar must notify the decision to the following:
(a) each eligible person within the meaning of section 41A
(including the applicant);
(b) each interested person who is required to be given an
opportunity to be heard under subsection 41C(1).
(7) A notification under subsection (6) must include:
(a) a statement of reasons for the decision; and
(b) a statement to the effect that, subject to the AAT Act,
application may be made to the AAT for review of the
decision to which the notice relates by or on behalf of a
person or persons whose interests are affected by the
decision.
Effect of declaration—reasonable public access
(8) While a declaration under this section that the second variety is
essentially derived from the initial variety remains in force,
section 19 applies in relation to the second variety as if the
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reference in subsection 19(4) to 2 years after the grant of PBR were
a reference to 2 years after the declaration was made.
Note: Section 19 requires the grantee of PBR in a plant variety to take
reasonable steps to ensure reasonable public access to the plant
variety.
41E Essential derivation for non-PBR-protected varieties—test
growing
(1) For the purposes of considering an application under section 41A
for a declaration under section 41D that a plant variety (the second
variety) is essentially derived from another plant variety (the initial
variety), the Registrar may conduct a test growing or further test
growing to determine whether, on the balance of probabilities, the
second variety is:
(a) essentially derived from the initial variety; and
(b) a registrable plant variety within the meaning of section 43.
Note: A decision under this section is reviewable by the AAT under
section 77.
(2) The Registrar must notify a decision to conduct a test growing to:
(a) the applicant; and
(b) each interested person who is required to be given an
opportunity to be heard under subsection 41C(1).
(3) To enable the Registrar to arrange a test growing, the notification
must require:
(a) the applicant, within a reasonable period specified in the
notification, to supply the Registrar with sufficient plants or
sufficient propagating material of plants of the initial variety,
and with any necessary information; and
(b) each interested person notified under paragraph (2)(b), within
a reasonable period specified in the notification, to supply the
Registrar with sufficient plants or sufficient propagating
material of plants of the second variety, and with any
necessary information.
(4) The notification must include a statement of the effect of
subsections (5) to (8).
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(5) Despite subsection 41D(2), the Registrar must, under
paragraph 41D(1)(b), refuse to make the declaration applied for if
the applicant fails to comply with a requirement under
paragraph (3)(a) of this section.
(6) For the purposes of making a decision under subsection 41D(1) in
relation to the application, the Registrar may draw an inference that
is unfavourable to the interests of a person notified under
paragraph (2)(b) of this section if the person fails to comply with a
requirement under paragraph (3)(b) of this section.
(7) After completion of the test growing, the Registrar must ensure
that any propagating material of a variety used in, or resulting
from, the test growing that is capable of being transported is
delivered to the person by whom propagating material of that
variety was supplied for the purpose of the test growing.
(8) The applicant must pay all costs associated with the test growing.
41F Essential derivation for non-PBR-protected varieties—
application lodged for PBR in second variety
Decision to treat application under section 41A as an application
under section 40
(1) The Registrar must decide to treat an application under section 41A
for a declaration under section 41D that a plant variety (the second
variety) is essentially derived from another variety (the initial
variety) as an application under section 40 in relation to those plant
varieties if:
(a) an application for PBR in a plant variety (the PBR
application) is made under section 24; and
(b) the Registrar is satisfied that the plant variety in relation to
which the PBR application is made is the same as the second
variety.
Note: Section 40 provides for a declaration that a plant variety (the second
variety) is essentially derived from another plant variety (the initial
variety) if PBR has been applied for, or granted, in relation to the
second variety.
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Effect of decision
(2) If the Registrar makes a decision under subsection (1):
(a) the Registrar must not make a decision under section 41D in
relation to the application under section 41A (the original
application); and
(b) the Registrar must treat the application under section 41A as
if it were an application (the converted application) made
under section 40 in relation to the initial variety and the
second variety, subject to this section.
Notification of decision
(3) The Registrar must notify the decision to the following persons:
(a) each eligible person, within the meaning of section 41A, in
relation to the initial variety (including the applicant under
section 41A);
(b) the applicant for PBR in the second variety;
(c) each interested person, other than the applicant for PBR in
the second variety, who is required to be given an
opportunity to be heard under subsection 41C(1).
(4) A notification under subsection (3) must include:
(a) a statement of the reasons for the decision, and the effect of
this section; and
(b) in the case of the notification given under paragraph (3)(a) to
the applicant under section 41A—a statement to the effect
that the applicant under section 41A may provide additional
information under subsection (6) within 2 months after the
date of the notification.
(5) The Registrar must publish notice of the decision in the Plant
Varieties Journal.
Relevant information
(6) Within 2 months after a notification of the Registrar’s decision is
given under subsection (3) to the applicant under section 41A, the
applicant under section 41A may give the Registrar any
information that would have been required or allowed under
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subsections 40(4) and (5) had the original application been made
under section 40.
(7) For the purpose of making a decision under section 40 in relation
to the converted application, the Registrar may consider the
following:
(a) for the purposes of a decision under subsection 40(7):
(i) any information in the original application; and
(ii) any additional information given in accordance with
subsection (6) of this section;
(b) for the purposes of a decision under subsection 40(10) or
(11):
(i) any information in relation to the original application
given by an interested person in accordance with the
person’s opportunity to be heard under
subsection 41C(4); and
(ii) any information in relation to the original application
obtained in a test growing conducted in accordance with
section 41E; and
(iii) any information mentioned in subsection 40(10) in
relation to the converted application, including
information obtained in a test growing conducted in
accordance with section 41.
Time for making decision
(8) The Registrar must not make a decision in relation to the converted
application earlier than 2 months after the day the notification is
given under paragraph (3)(a) to the applicant under section 41A.
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Part 4—The grant and revocation of Plant
Breeder’s Right
Division 1—Grant of Plant Breeder’s Right
43 Registrable plant varieties
(1) For the purposes of this Act, a plant variety in which an application
for PBR is made is registrable if:
(a) the variety has a breeder; and
(b) the variety is distinct; and
(c) the variety is uniform; and
(d) the variety is stable; and
(e) the variety has not been exploited or has been only recently
exploited.
(2) For the purposes of this section, a plant variety is distinct if it is
clearly distinguishable from any other variety whose existence is a
matter of common knowledge.
(3) For the purposes of this section, a plant variety is uniform if,
subject to the variation that may be expected from the particular
features of its propagation, it is uniform in its relevant
characteristics on propagation.
(4) For the purposes of this section, a plant variety is stable if its
relevant characteristics remain unchanged after repeated
propagation.
(5) For the purposes of this section, a plant variety is taken not to have
been exploited if, at the date of lodging the application for PBR in
the variety, plant material of the variety has not been sold to
another person by, or with the consent of, the breeder.
(6) For the purposes of this section, a plant variety is taken to have
been only recently exploited if, at the date of lodging the
application for PBR in the variety, plant material of the variety has
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not been sold to another person by, or with the consent of, the
breeder, either:
(a) in Australia—more than one year before that date; or
(b) outside of Australia:
(i) in the case of trees or vines—more than 6 years before
that date; or
(ii) in any other case—more than 4 years before that date.
Note: For the definition of sell see subsection 3(1).
(7) Subsection (6) does not apply to a sale by the breeder of a plant
variety of plant material of the variety to another person if that sale
is a part of, or related to, another transaction under which the right
of the breeder to make application for PBR in that plant variety is
sold to that other person.
(7A) Subsection (6) does not apply to a sale of plant material of a plant
variety to a person by, or with the consent of, the breeder if:
(a) the sole purpose of the sale is for the person to multiply plant
material of that plant variety on behalf of the breeder; and
(b) under the agreement for the sale, immediately after the plant
material is multiplied, property in the new plant material
vests in the breeder.
(7B) Subsection (6) does not apply to a sale of plant material of a plant
variety to a person by, or with the consent of, the breeder if the sale
is part of an agreement under which the person agrees to use plant
material of that variety for the sole purpose of evaluating the
variety in one or more of the following tests or trials:
(a) field tests;
(b) laboratory trials;
(c) small-scale processing trials;
(d) tests or trials prescribed for the purposes of this subsection.
(7C) Subsection (6) does not apply to a sale of plant material of a plant
variety to a person by, or with the consent of, the breeder if:
(a) the sale only involves plant material that is a by-product or
surplus product of one or more of the following:
(i) the creation of the variety;
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(ii) a multiplication of the variety;
(iii) tests or trials covered by subsection (7B); and
(b) the plant material is sold:
(i) without identification of the plant variety of the plant
material; and
(ii) for the sole purpose of final consumption.
(8) In addition to any other reason for treating a plant variety as a
variety of common knowledge, a variety is to be treated as a
variety of common knowledge if:
(a) an application for PBR in the variety has been lodged in a
contracting party, or in a foreign country that is not a
contracting party; and
(b) the application is proceeding, or has led, to the grant of PBR.
(9) A plant variety that is to be treated as a variety of common
knowledge under subsection (8) because of an application for PBR
in the variety is to be so treated from the time of the application.
(10) In this section:
plant material, in relation to a plant variety, means one or more of
the following:
(a) propagating material of the plant variety;
(b) harvested material of the plant variety;
(c) products obtained from harvested material of the plant
variety.
variety has the same meaning as in the 1991 Act of the
Convention.
44 Grant of PBR
(1) If:
(a) an application for PBR in a plant variety is accepted; and
(b) after examining the application (including the subsequent
detailed description) and any objection to the application, the
Registrar is, or continues to be, satisfied that:
(i) there is such a variety; and
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(ii) the variety is a registrable plant variety within the
meaning of section 43; and
(iii) the applicant is entitled to make the application; and
(iv) the grant of that right is not prohibited by this Act; and
(v) that right has not been granted to another person; and
(vi) the name of the variety complies with section 27; and
(vii) propagating material of that variety has been deposited
for storage, at the expense of the applicant, in a genetic
resource centre approved by the Registrar; and
(viii) if the Registrar so requires, a satisfactory specimen
plant of the variety has been supplied to the herbarium;
and
(ix) all fees payable under this Act in respect of the
application, examination and grant have been paid;
the Registrar must grant that right to the applicant.
(2) If:
(a) an application for PBR in a plant variety is accepted; and
(b) the plant variety is a variety of a species indigenous to
Australia;
the Registrar must require supply of a satisfactory specimen plant
of the variety to the herbarium.
(3) If:
(a) an application for PBR in a plant variety is accepted; and
(b) the Registrar is not satisfied of all of the matters referred to in
paragraph (1)(b);
the Registrar must refuse to grant that right to the applicant.
(4) The Registrar must not grant or refuse to grant PBR in a plant
variety until at least 6 months after the giving of public notice of
the detailed description of the variety.
(5) If:
(a) an application for PBR in a plant variety has been varied
under section 31; and
(b) the variation relates to the detailed description of the variety
that has been given to the Registrar; and
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(c) the Registrar has given public notice of the variation;
the Registrar must not grant, or refuse to grant, PBR in the variety
until 6 months after giving public notice of the variation or of the
last such variation.
(6) If an objection to an application for PBR is made under section 35,
the Registrar must give the applicant 30 days, starting when a copy
of the objection is given to the applicant, or such longer period as
the Registrar considers to be reasonable in the circumstances, to
provide an answer to the objection.
(7) A quantity of propagating material of a plant variety that is lodged
with a genetic resource centre must be sufficient to enable that
variety to be kept in existence if there were no other propagating
material of plants of that variety.
(8) The delivery and storage of propagating material of a plant variety
does not affect the ownership of the material but the material must
not be dealt with otherwise than for the purposes of this Act.
(9) The propagating material of a plant stored at a genetic resource
centre may be used by the Registrar for the purposes of this Act,
including the purposes of section 19.
(10) PBR is granted to a person by the issue to that person by the
Registrar of a certificate in an approved form, signed by the
Registrar, containing such particulars of the plant variety
concerned as the Registrar considers appropriate.
(11) If the PBR is granted to persons who make a joint application for
the right, the right is to be granted to those persons jointly.
(12) If the Registrar refuses to grant PBR in a plant variety, the
Registrar must, within 30 days of so refusing, notify the applicant:
(a) of the refusal; and
(b) of the reasons for the refusal.
Note: A decision under this section to grant, or refuse to grant, PBR in a
plant variety is reviewable by the AAT under section 77.
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45 Grant of PBR to be exclusive
(1) Subject to subsection (3), only one grant of PBR may be made
under this Act in relation to a plant variety.
Note: If PBR is granted to persons who make a joint application, the PBR is
granted to those persons jointly: see subsection 44(11).
(3) If:
(a) a person is the grantee of PBR in a plant variety (the initial
variety); and
(b) another person is the grantee of PBR in another plant variety;
and
(c) the other variety is declared to be essentially derived from the
initial variety;
subsection (1) does not prevent PBR in the initial variety extending
to the other variety.
Note: For declarations of essential derivation, see sections 40 and 41D.
46 Grant of PBR to be entered on Register
(1) When the Registrar grants PBR in a plant variety, the Registrar
must enter in the Register:
(a) a description, or description and photograph, of a plant of
that variety; and
(b) the name of the variety and any proposed synonym; and
(c) the name of the grantee; and
(d) the name and address of the breeder; and
(e) the address for the service of documents on the grantee for
the purposes of this Act as shown on the application for the
right; and
(f) the day on which the right is granted; and
(g) such other particulars relating to the granting as the Registrar
considers appropriate.
(2) When a variety (the derived variety) is declared to be essentially
derived from another variety (the initial variety), the Registrar
must enter in the Register both in respect of the derived variety and
the initial variety:
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(a) the fact that the declaration has been made; and
(b) the day on which the declaration was made.
Note: For declarations of essential derivation, see sections 40 and 41D.
47 Notice of grant of PBR
(1) The Registrar must, as soon as possible after granting PBR to a
person, give public notice of the grant in the Plant Varieties
Journal.
(2) The Registrar must, as soon as possible after the making of a
declaration that a plant variety is an essentially derived variety of
another plant variety, give public notice of the making of the
declaration in the Plant Varieties Journal.
Note: For declarations of essential derivation, see sections 40 and 41D.
48 Effect of grant of PBR
(1) If a person is granted PBR in a plant variety:
(a) any other person who was entitled to make, but had not
made, application for the right in the variety:
(i) ceases to be entitled to make such application; and
(ii) is not entitled to any interest in the right; and
(b) any other person who had made application for the right in
the variety:
(i) ceases to be entitled to have his or her application
considered or further considered; and
(ii) is not entitled to any interest in the right.
(2) Subsection (1) does not prevent a person:
(a) from applying for a revocation of the rights under section 50;
or
(b) from instituting proceedings before a court or the AAT in
relation to the right; or
(c) from applying for a declaration that the plant variety in which
the right was granted is essentially derived from another
plant variety in which the person holds PBR.
Note: For declarations of essential derivation, see sections 40 and 41D.
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(3) If:
(a) PBR in a particular plant variety is granted to a person; and
(b) another person (the eligible person) was entitled, at law or
equity, to an assignment of the right to make an application
for the PBR;
the eligible person is entitled to an assignment of the PBR.
49 PBR may be subject to conditions
(2) The Minister may impose such conditions on PBR that is to be
granted or that has been granted as the Minister considers to be
necessary in the public interest.
(3) If the Minister imposes conditions on PBR:
(a) the Registrar must give public notice of those conditions and
give the grantee a copy of the instrument setting them out;
and
(b) the Registrar must enter details of those conditions in the
Register.
Note: A decision under this section by the Minister to make a grant subject
to conditions is reviewable by the AAT under section 77.
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Section 50
Division 2—Revocation of Plant Breeder’s Right or
declaration of essential derivation
50 Revocation of PBR
(1) The Registrar must revoke PBR in a plant variety or a declaration
that a plant variety is essentially derived from another plant variety
if:
(a) the Registrar becomes satisfied that facts existed that, if
known before the grant of that right or the making of that
declaration, would have resulted in the refusal to grant that
right or make that declaration; or
(b) the grantee has failed to pay a fee payable in respect of that
right or of that declaration within 30 days after having been
given notice that the fee has become payable.
(2) The Registrar may revoke PBR in a plant variety if:
(a) the Registrar is satisfied that a person to whom that right has
been assigned or transmitted has failed to comply with
section 21; or
(aa) the Registrar is satisfied that the grantee, without reasonable
excuse, has failed to comply with the requirements of a
notification under section 37; or
(b) the Registrar is satisfied that the grantee has failed to comply
with a condition imposed under section 49.
(3) If the Registrar revokes PBR in a plant variety or a declaration that
a plant variety is essentially derived from another plant variety, the
Registrar must, within 7 days after the decision to revoke was
taken, notify the decision, and the reasons for the decision, to the
grantee of the right that has been revoked or to the grantee of the
right that was affected by the giving of the declaration of essential
derivation.
Note: For declarations of essential derivation, see sections 40 and 41D.
(4) The Registrar must not revoke PBR under this section unless:
(a) the Registrar has given the grantee, or any person to whom
the Registrar believes that right has been assigned or
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transmitted, particulars of the grounds of the proposed
revocation; and
(b) the grantee or that other person has had 30 days after being
given those particulars to make a written statement to the
Registrar in relation to the proposed revocation.
(5) The Registrar must not under this section, revoke a declaration that
a plant variety is essentially derived from another plant variety (the
initial variety) unless:
(a) the Registrar has given the grantee of PBR in the initial
variety, or any person to whom the Registrar believes that
that PBR has been assigned or transmitted, particulars of the
grounds of the proposed revocation of that declaration of
essential derivation; and
(b) the grantee or that other person has had 30 days after being
given those particulars to make a written statement to the
Registrar in relation to the proposed revocation.
(6) The revocation of PBR in a plant variety or of a declaration that a
plant variety is essentially derived from another plant variety takes
effect:
(a) if no application for review of the revocation is made to the
AAT—at the end of the period within which such an
application might be made; or
(b) if such an application is made—at the time when the
application is withdrawn, or finally determined, whether by
the Tribunal or by a court.
(7) Nothing in this section affects the power of:
(a) the Federal Court, or a Judge of that Court, under
subsection 44A(2) of the AAT Act; or
(b) the Federal Circuit Court, or a Judge of that Court, under
subsection 44A(2A) of that Act.
(8) A person whose interests are affected by the grant of PBR in a
plant variety may apply to the Registrar, in writing, for the
revocation of the right.
(9) A person whose interests are affected by the making of a
declaration that a plant variety is essentially derived from another
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plant variety may apply to the Registrar, in writing, for a
revocation of that declaration.
(9A) An application under subsection (8) or (9) is of no effect unless it
is accompanied by the prescribed fee.
(10) If the Registrar decides not to revoke PBR in a plant variety in
accordance with an application under subsection (8) or not to
revoke a declaration of essential derivation in accordance with
subsection (9), the Registrar must, within 7 days of making that
decision, notify the person who applied for the revocation of the
decision and of the reasons for the decision.
Note: A decision under this section to revoke, or refuse to revoke, PBR or a
declaration of essential derivation is reviewable by the AAT under
section 77.
51 Entry of particulars of revocation
(1) If:
(a) PBR in a plant variety is revoked in accordance with
section 50; or
(b) the Registrar is served with a copy of an order of a court
given under subsection 54A(2) revoking that right;
the Registrar must:
(c) enter particulars of the revocation in the Register; and
(d) give public notice of the revocation.
(2) If the holder of PBR in a plant variety fails to pay the prescribed
annual fee for the renewal of the right by the last day for payment
of that fee, the holder is taken to have surrendered the right.
(3) The Registrar must:
(a) enter particulars of the surrender in the Register; and
(b) give public notice of the surrender.
52 Surrender of PBR
The holder of PBR in a plant variety may, at any time, by written
notice to the Registrar, offer to surrender that right.
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Part 5—Enforcement of Plant Breeder’s Right
53 Infringement of PBR
(1) Subject to sections 16, 17, 18, 19 and 23, PBR in a plant variety is
infringed by:
(a) a person doing, without, or otherwise than in accordance
with, authorisation from the grantee of the right, an act
referred to in a paragraph of section 11 in respect of the
variety or of a dependent variety; or
(b) a person claiming, without, or otherwise than in accordance
with, authorisation from the grantee of that right, the right to
do an act referred to in a paragraph of section 11 in respect of
that variety or of a dependent variety; or
(c) a person using a name of the variety that is entered in the
Register in relation to:
(i) any other plant variety of the same plant class; or
(ii) a plant of any other variety of the same plant class.
(1A) To avoid doubt, an infringement of PBR in a plant variety under
paragraph (1)(c) can include using a synonym in relation to the
name of a plant variety, if that synonym is entered in the Register
under paragraph 46(1)(b).
(2) If a plant variety (the derived variety) has been declared to be an
essentially derived variety of another plant variety (the initial
variety), the reference in paragraphs (1)(a) and (b) to authorisation
from the grantee of the right means, in relation to the derived
variety, authorisation from both the grantee of PBR in the derived
variety and from the grantee of PBR in the initial variety.
Note: For declarations of essential derivation, see sections 40 and 41D.
(3) In this section, a reference to the grantee of PBR in a plant variety
includes a reference to a person who has, by assignment or
transmission, become the holder of that right.
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(4) In this section, if a grantee of a PBR in a plant variety has granted
an exclusive licence in relation to that right, a reference to the
grantee is taken to be a reference to the exclusive licensee.
54 Actions for infringement
(1) An action for infringement of PBR in a plant variety may be begun
in the Federal Court or the Federal Circuit Court only by the
grantee or an exclusive licensee of the grantee.
(2) If an exclusive licensee of a grantee of PBR in a plant variety
begins an action for infringement of that right, the licensee must
make the grantee a defendant in the action, unless the grantee is
joined as a plaintiff.
(3) A grantee who is made a defendant in an action is not liable for
costs if the grantee does not take part in the proceedings.
54A Counterclaims to actions for infringement
(1) A defendant in an action for infringement of PBR in a plant variety
may apply, by way of counterclaim, for revocation of that right on
the ground that:
(a) the variety was not a new plant variety; or
(b) facts exist that would have resulted in the refusal of the grant
of that right if they had been known to the Registrar before
the grant of that right.
(2) If, in an action for infringement of PBR in a plant variety:
(a) the defendant applies, by way of counterclaim, for the
revocation of that right; and
(b) the court is satisfied that a ground for revocation of that right
exists;
the court may make an order revoking that right.
(3) If the court revoked PBR in a plant variety on the counterclaim of a
defendant, the court may order the defendant to serve on the
Registrar a copy of the order revoking that right.
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55 Declarations as to non-infringement
(1) A person who proposes to perform an act described in a paragraph
of section 11 in relation to the propagating material of a plant
variety may, by an action in the Federal Court or the Federal
Circuit Court against the grantee of PBR in a plant variety, apply
for a declaration that the performance of that act would not
constitute an infringement of that right.
(2) A person may apply for a declaration whether or not there has been
an assertion of an infringement of PBR by the grantee of that right.
(3) The court must not make such a declaration unless:
(a) the person proposing to perform the act:
(i) has applied in writing to the grantee of the PBR
concerned for an admission that the proposed
performance of the act would not infringe that right; and
(ii) has given the grantee full written particulars of the
propagating material concerned; and
(iii) has undertaken to repay all expenses reasonably
incurred by the grantee in obtaining advice in the
declaration; and
(b) the grantee has refused or failed to make such an admission.
(4) The costs of all parties in proceedings for a declaration under this
section are to be paid by the person seeking the declaration unless
the court otherwise orders.
(5) The validity of a grant of PBR in a plant variety is not to be called
in question in proceedings for a declaration under this section.
(6) The making of, or the refusal to make, a declaration under this
section does not imply that a grant of PBR in a plant variety is, or
is not, valid.
(7) The grantee must be joined as a respondent in the proceedings.
(8) In this section:
grantee includes an exclusive licensee of the grantee.
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56 Jurisdiction of the Federal Court
(1) The Federal Court has jurisdiction with respect to matters in which
actions may, under this Part, be begun in the Federal Court.
Note: A matter may also be transferred to the Federal Court from the Federal
Circuit Court: see section 39 of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia
Act 1999.
(2) That jurisdiction is exclusive of the jurisdiction of all other courts
other than the jurisdiction of:
(a) the Federal Circuit Court under subsection 56A(2); and
(b) the High Court under section 75 of the Constitution.
(3) The relief that the Federal Court may grant in an action or
proceeding for infringement of PBR includes an injunction (subject
to such terms, if any, as the Federal Court thinks fit) and, at the
option of the plaintiff, either damages or an account of profits.
(3A) The Federal Court may include an additional amount in an
assessment of damages for an infringement of PBR, if the Court
considers it appropriate to do so having regard to:
(a) the flagrancy of the infringement; and
(b) the need to deter similar infringements of PBR; and
(c) the conduct of the party that infringed the PBR that occurred:
(i) after the act constituting the infringement; or
(ii) after that party was informed that it had allegedly
infringed the PBR; and
(d) any benefit shown to have accrued to that party because of
the infringement; and
(e) all other relevant matters.
(4) The regulations may make provision in relation to the practice and
procedure of the Federal Court in actions under this Act, including
provision prescribing the time within which any action may be
begun, or any other act or thing may be done, and providing for the
extension of any such time.
(5) Subsection (4) does not limit the power of the Judges of the
Federal Court or a majority of them to make Rules of Court under
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section 59 of the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 that are
consistent with the regulations referred to in that subsection.
56A Jurisdiction of Federal Circuit Court
(1) The Federal Circuit Court has jurisdiction with respect to matters
in which actions may, under this Part, be begun in the Federal
Circuit Court.
Note: A matter may also be transferred to the Federal Circuit Court from the
Federal Court: see section 32AB of the Federal Court of Australia Act
1976.
(2) That jurisdiction is exclusive of the jurisdiction of all other courts,
other than the jurisdiction of:
(a) the Federal Court under subsection 56(2) of this Act; and
(b) the High Court under section 75 of the Constitution.
(3) The relief that the Federal Circuit Court may grant in an action or
proceeding for infringement of PBR includes an injunction (subject
to such terms, if any, as the Federal Circuit Court thinks fit) and, at
the option of the plaintiff, either damages or an account of profits.
(3A) The Federal Circuit Court may include an additional amount in an
assessment of damages for an infringement of PBR, if the Court
considers it appropriate to do so having regard to:
(a) the flagrancy of the infringement; and
(b) the need to deter similar infringements of PBR; and
(c) the conduct of the party that infringed the PBR that occurred:
(i) after the act constituting the infringement; or
(ii) after that party was informed that it had allegedly
infringed the PBR; and
(d) any benefit shown to have accrued to that party because of
the infringement; and
(e) all other relevant matters.
(4) The regulations may make provision in relation to the practice and
procedure of the Federal Circuit Court in actions under this Act,
including provision prescribing the time within which any action
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may be begun, or any other act or thing may be done, and
providing for the extension of any such time.
(5) Subsection (4) does not limit the power of the Judges of the
Federal Circuit Court, or a majority of them, to make Rules of
Court under section 81 of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia
Act 1999 that are consistent with the regulations referred to in that
subsection.
57 Innocent infringement
(1) A court may refuse to award damages, or to make an order for an
account of profits, against a person in an action for infringement of
PBR in a plant variety, if the person satisfies the court that, at the
time of the infringement, the person was not aware of, and had no
reasonable grounds for suspecting, the existence of that right.
(2) If the propagating material of plants of the plant variety, labelled so
as to indicate that PBR is held in the variety in Australia, has been
sold to a substantial extent before the date of the infringement, the
person against whom the action for infringement is brought is
taken to have been aware of the existence of PBR in the variety,
unless the contrary is established.
57A Application for relief from unjustified threats
(1) If a person is threatened by another person (the respondent) with
proceedings for infringement of PBR in a plant variety, or other
similar proceedings, an aggrieved person (the applicant) may
apply to the Federal Court or Federal Circuit Court for:
(a) a declaration that the threats are unjustified; and
(b) an injunction against the continuance of the threats; and
(c) the recovery of any damages sustained by the applicant as a
result of the threats.
(2) The Federal Court or Federal Circuit Court may include an
additional amount in an assessment of damages sustained by the
applicant as a result of the unjustified threats, if the Court considers
it appropriate to do so having regard to:
(a) the flagrancy of the threats; and
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(b) the need to deter similar threats; and
(c) the conduct of the respondent that occurred after the
respondent made the threats; and
(d) any benefit shown to have accrued to the respondent because
of the threats; and
(e) all other relevant matters.
(3) A threat mentioned in subsection (1) may be by means of circulars,
advertisements or otherwise.
(4) Subsection (1) applies whether or not the respondent is the grantee
of the PBR in the plant variety or an exclusive licensee of the
grantee.
57B Court’s power to grant relief
The Federal Court or Federal Circuit Court may grant the relief
sought by an applicant under section 57A, unless the respondent
satisfies the Court that:
(a) the respondent is the grantee of the PBR in the plant variety
or an exclusive licensee of the grantee; and
(b) the acts about which the threats were made infringe, or would
infringe, the PBR in the plant variety.
57C Counterclaim for infringement
(1) The respondent in proceedings under section 57A may apply, by
way of counter-claim, for relief to which the respondent would be
entitled in separate proceedings against the applicant for
infringement of the PBR in the plant variety.
(2) The provisions of this Act relating to proceedings for infringement
of PBR in a plant variety apply, with the necessary changes, to a
counter-claim under subsection (1).
57D Notification of PBR in a plant variety not a threat
The mere notification of the existence of PBR in a plant variety
does not constitute a threat of proceedings for the purposes of
section 57A.
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57E Liability of legal practitioner
A legal practitioner is not liable to proceedings under section 57A
in respect of an act done in a professional capacity on behalf of a
client.
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Section 58
Part 6—Administration
58 Registrar of Plant Breeder’s Rights
(1) There is established by this section a Registrar of Plant Breeder’s
Rights.
(2) The office of the Registrar of Plant Breeder’s Rights is an office in
the Department.
(3) The Registrar has the functions and powers that are conferred on
the Registrar by this Act or by the regulations.
59 Delegation
Delegation of Minister’s statutory powers and functions
(1) The Minister may, by signed instrument, delegate to the Registrar,
or to an SES employee, or acting SES employee, in the
Department, any of the powers or functions of the Minister under
this Act or the regulations.
Delegation of Registrar’s statutory powers and functions
(3) The Registrar may, by signed instrument, delegate to a prescribed
employee, or employees in a prescribed class, any of the powers or
functions of the Registrar under this Act or the regulations.
Subdelegation of delegated powers and functions
(4) A person to whom a power or function under this Act or the
regulations has been delegated by the Minister under subsection (1)
may, by signed instrument, delegate the power or function to a
prescribed employee, or employees in a prescribed class.
(5) A power or function that is exercised or performed by an employee
under a delegation under subsection (4) is taken, for the purposes
of this Act and the regulations, to have been exercised or
performed by the Minister.
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Requirement to act under direction or supervision
(6) If required by an instrument under subsection (3) or (4) delegating
a power or function to an employee, the employee must exercise
the power or perform the function under the direction or
supervision of:
(a) the person who delegated the power or function to the
employee; or
(b) another employee specified in the instrument.
This subsection applies whether the instrument identifies the
employee specifically or by reference to a class.
Definition
(7) In subsections (3), (4), (5) and (6):
employee means a person who is engaged under the Public Service
Act 1999 or otherwise for or on behalf of the Commonwealth and
whose duties involve providing assistance to the Registrar.
60 Certain persons not to acquire PBR
(1) A person must not apply for, or otherwise acquire, except than by
will or by operation of law, PBR in a plant variety or an interest in
such right if the person has during the 12 months before the
application, held, or performed the duties of:
(b) the office of Registrar of Plant Breeder’s Rights; or
(c) an office in the Department the duties of which involve
providing assistance to the Registrar.
Penalty: 60 penalty units.
(2) A grant of PBR applied for in contravention of subsection (1) or an
acquisition of PBR in contravention of that subsection is void.
61 Register of Plant Varieties
(1) The Registrar must keep a register, to be known as the Register of
Plant Varieties, at a place approved by the Registrar.
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(1A) The Registrar must maintain, for the purposes of this Act, a list of
all plant classes to be known as the Registrar’s List of Plant
Classes.
(1B) In maintaining that list the Registrar must, for so long as the Union
maintains the document presently known as the List of Classes for
Variety Denomination Purposes, have regard to that list and to any
variations to that list as so maintained.
(1C) The list maintained by the Registrar must be kept as a part of the
Register.
(2) In order to foster public access to the information contained in the
Register, the Registrar may disseminate that information on the
internet or in such other manner as the Registrar considers most
likely to enhance its accessibility.
62 Inspection of Register
(1) A person may inspect the Register at any reasonable time.
(2) A person is entitled, on payment of such fee (if any) as is
prescribed, to be given a copy of an entry in the Register.
(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), a reference to an entry in the
Register does not include a reference to the Registrar’s List of
Plant Classes or to any part of that list.
62A Registrar’s power to rectify Register
(1) The Registrar may rectify the Register if the Registrar is satisfied,
whether on application or otherwise, of any of the following:
(a) the omission of an entry from the Register;
(b) an entry made in the Register without sufficient cause;
(c) an entry wrongly existing in the Register;
(d) an error or defect in an entry in the Register.
Form of application
(2) An application under subsection (1) must be in the approved form.
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Further information
(3) The Registrar:
(a) may seek further information from any person for the
purpose of considering an application under subsection (1);
and
(b) is not required to consider the application while seeking the
further information.
Persons to be heard
(4) The Registrar must not rectify the Register under this section in
relation to PBR in a plant variety without first giving the following
persons a reasonable opportunity to be heard:
(a) in the case of an application to rectify the Register—the
applicant;
(b) the grantee of the PBR as recorded in the Register;
(c) any other person the Registrar considers appropriate.
Relevant proceedings pending
(5) The Registrar must not rectify the Register under this section in
relation to PBR in a plant variety while:
(a) relevant proceedings in relation to the PBR are pending; or
(b) proceedings in a court or in the AAT, relating to a decision
under section 21 to amend, or refuse to amend, the Register
in relation to the PBR, are pending.
Note: A decision under this section to rectify, or refuse to rectify, the
Register is reviewable by the AAT under section 77.
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Section 68
Part 8—Miscellaneous
68 Public notices
(1) The Registrar must issue a journal, to be called the Plant Varieties
Journal, at least 4 times each year.
(2) Any public notice that the Registrar is required to make under this
Act must be published in the Journal.
(3) Public notice of any matter additional to the matters referred to in
subsection (2) that the Registrar considers it necessary or desirable
to publicise may also be published in the Journal.
(4) If the Registrar considers it desirable to give additional public
notice of matters by publishing notices of those matters in a
periodical other than the Journal, the Registrar may arrange for, or
consent to, the giving of additional public notice of those matters in
the periodical.
69 Notices inviting submissions in respect of certain regulations
(1) Regulations must not be made for the purposes of subsection 17(2)
or 22(3) unless, before the making of the regulations:
(a) the Minister has, in accordance with section 68, given public
notice of the Minister’s intention to make a regulation for the
purposes of that subsection in relation to a particular taxon
that is specified in the notice; and
(b) the notice has given a broad indication of the objectives of
the intended regulations and invited persons to make
submissions to the Minister concerning it within a period of
30 days after the publication of the notice.
(2) If the Minister receives, in accordance with an invitation in a
public notice under subsection (1), a submission concerning an
intended regulation, the Minister must have regard to the
submission so made.
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70 Genetic resource centres
(1) If, in the opinion of the Registrar, a place is suitable for the storage
and maintenance of germplasm material, the Registrar may, by
notice in writing, declare that place to be a genetic resource centre
for the purposes of this Act.
(2) The person in charge of a genetic resource centre may do all things
necessary to maintain the viability of propagating material stored at
that centre.
71 The herbarium
If, in the opinion of the Registrar, an organisation has facilities
suitable for the storage of plant specimens, the Registrar may, by
notice in writing, declare the organisation to be the herbarium for
the purposes of this Act.
72 Agents may act in matters relating to PBR
Subject to any other law of the Commonwealth, including Rules of
Court of the High Court, the Federal Court or the Federal Circuit
Court, an application, a written submission or any other document
may be prepared or lodged, and any business may be transacted,
for the purposes of this Act, by one person on behalf of another
person.
72A Notifications by Registrar under this Act or regulations
(1) If under this Act or the regulations the Registrar is required or
permitted:
(a) to notify a person of a matter; or
(b) to notify a person that the person is required to do a thing;
the Registrar may so notify the person by any means of
communication (including by electronic means).
Note: Section 73 deals with the service etc. of documents on a person.
(2) However, the notification must be by a means of communication
such that the content of the notification is readily accessible so as
to be usable for subsequent reference.
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72B Manner in which documents may be lodged with or given to
Registrar
For the purposes of this Act and the regulations, a document may
be lodged with, or given to, the Registrar by a means determined in
an instrument under subsection 72C(1).
72C Approved means of lodging or giving documents
(1) For the purposes of section 72B, the Registrar may, by writing,
determine one or more means for lodging a document with, or
giving a document to, the Registrar.
(2) The means may be an electronic means or any other means.
(3) The Registrar must give public notice setting out the determination.
(4) The Registrar may, in a determination under subsection (1), specify
that one or more means for lodging a document with, or giving a
document to, the Registrar are preferred means.
Note: Under the regulations, reduced fees may be payable for lodging or
giving a document by preferred means.
(5) A determination under subsection (1) is not a legislative
instrument.
73 Service of documents
If:
(a) this Act provides for a document to be served on, or given or
sent to, a person; and
(b) the person has given the Registrar an address in Australia or
New Zealand for service;
the document may be served on, or given or sent to, the person by a
prescribed means to that address.
Note: After the time specified in regulations made for the purposes of
subsection 3(2), the address may be an electronic address: see
subsections 3(2), (5) and (6).
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74 Infringement offences
(1) A person must not, in relation to propagating material of a plant
variety in which PBR has been granted, do any of the acts referred
to in a paragraph of section 11 if such an act would, under
section 53, infringe the PBR in the variety.
Penalty: 500 penalty units.
(1A) In subsection (1), strict liability applies to the physical element of
circumstance, that the infringement of the PBR would be under
section 53.
Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
(2) The fact that an action for infringement has been brought against a
person under section 54 in respect of a particular act does not
prevent a prosecution under this section in respect of the same act.
75 Offences other than infringement offences
(1) A person must not make a false statement in an application or other
document given to the Registrar for the purposes of this Act.
Penalty: 6 months imprisonment.
(2) A person who is not the grantee of PBR in a plant variety must not
represent to another person that he or she is the grantee of PBR in
that variety.
Penalty: 60 penalty units.
(3) A person must not represent to another person that PBR granted to
that first-mentioned person in a plant variety extends to cover
another plant variety that is not:
(a) a dependent variety of the first-mentioned variety; or
(b) a variety that has been declared to be an essentially derived
variety of the first-mentioned variety.
Note: For declarations of essential derivation, see sections 40 and 41D.
Penalty: 60 penalty units.
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(4) A person must not represent to another person that a plant of a
variety in which PBR has not been granted is a plant of a variety in
which PBR has been granted.
Penalty: 60 penalty units.
76 Conduct by directors, employees and agents
(1) If, in proceedings for an offence against section 74 or 75, it is
necessary to establish the state of mind of a body corporate in
relation to particular conduct, it is sufficient to show:
(a) that the conduct was engaged in by a director, employee or
agent of the body corporate, within the scope of his or her
actual or apparent authority; and
(b) that the director, employee or agent had the state of mind.
(2) Any conduct engaged in on behalf of a body corporate by a
director, employee or agent of the body corporate within the scope
of his or her actual or apparent authority is to be taken, for the
purposes of a prosecution for an offence against section 74 or 75,
to have been engaged in also by the body corporate unless the body
corporate establishes that the body corporate took reasonable
precautions and exercised due diligence to avoid the conduct.
(3) If, in proceedings for an offence against section 74 or 75, it is
necessary to establish the state of mind of a person other than a
body corporate in relation to a particular conduct, it is sufficient to
show:
(a) that the conduct was engaged in by an employee or agent of
the person, within the scope of his or her actual or apparent
authority; and
(b) that the employee or agent had the state of mind.
(4) Any conduct engaged in on behalf of a person other than a body
corporate by an employee or agent of the person within the scope
of his or her actual or apparent authority is to be taken, for the
purposes of a prosecution for an offence against section 74 or 75,
to have been engaged in also by the first-mentioned person unless
the first-mentioned person establishes that the first-mentioned
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person took reasonable precautions and exercised due diligence to
avoid the conduct.
(5) If:
(a) a person other than a body corporate is convicted of an
offence; and
(b) the person would not have been convicted for the offence if
subsections (3) and (4) had not been enacted;
the person is not liable to be punished by imprisonment for that
offence.
(6) A reference in subsection (1) or (3) to the state of mind of a person
includes a reference to:
(a) the knowledge, intention, opinion, belief or purpose of the
person; and
(b) the person’s reasons for the intention, opinion, belief or
purpose.
(7) A reference in this section to a director of a body corporate
includes a reference to a constituent member of a body corporate
incorporated for a public purpose by a law of the Commonwealth,
of a State or of a Territory.
(8) A reference in this section to engaging in conduct includes a
reference to failing or refusing to engage in conduct.
(9) A reference in this section to an offence against section 74 or 75
includes a reference to an offence:
(a) against section 6 of the Crimes Act 1914; or
(b) that is taken to have been committed because of section 11.2
or 11.2A of the Criminal Code; or
(c) against section 11.1, 11.4 or 11.5 of the Criminal Code;
that relates to section 74 or 75 of this Act.
76A Doing act when PBR office reopens after end of period
otherwise provided for doing act
(1) If the last day of a period provided by this Act (except this section)
or the regulations for doing an act is a day when the PBR office or
a PBR sub-office is not open for business, the act may be done in
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prescribed circumstances on the next day when the office or
sub-office is open for business.
(2) For the purposes of this section, the PBR office or a PBR
sub-office is taken not to be open for business on a day:
(a) declared by regulations to be a day on which the office or
sub-office is not open for business; or
(b) declared, by a prescribed person in writing published in the
prescribed way, to be a day on which the office or sub-office
is not open for business.
Declarations
(3) A declaration mentioned in paragraph (2)(a) or (b) may identify the
day by reference to its being declared a public holiday by or under
a law of a State or Territory. This does not limit the way the
declaration may identify the day.
(4) A declaration mentioned in paragraph (2)(b):
(a) may be made before, on or after the day; and
(b) is not a legislative instrument.
Relationship with other law
(5) This section has effect despite the rest of this Act.
(6) Subsection 36(2) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 does not
apply in relation to the act mentioned in subsection (1) of this
section.
Exception for prescribed act
(7) This section does not apply to a prescribed act.
Note: Subsection 36(2) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 is relevant to a
prescribed act.
76B Computerised decision-making
(1) The Registrar may arrange for the use, under the Registrar’s
control, of computer programs for any purposes for which the
Registrar may, or must, under this Act or the regulations:
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(a) make a decision; or
(b) exercise any power or comply with any obligation; or
(c) do anything else related to making a decision to which
paragraph (a) applies or related to exercising a power, or
complying with an obligation, to which paragraph (b)
applies.
(2) For the purposes of this Act and the regulations, the Registrar is
taken to have:
(a) made a decision; or
(b) exercised a power or complied with an obligation; or
(c) done something else related to the making of a decision or
the exercise of a power or the compliance with an obligation;
that was made, exercised, complied with or done by the operation
of a computer program under an arrangement made under
subsection (1).
Substituted decisions
(3) The Registrar may substitute a decision for a decision the Registrar
is taken to have made under paragraph (2)(a) if the Registrar is
satisfied that the decision made by the operation of the computer
program is incorrect.
Note: A substituted decision under subsection (4) may be reviewable by the
AAT under section 77.
77 Applications for review
(1) Applications may be made to the AAT for review of:
(a) a decision by the Minister under subsection 49(2); or
(b) a decision by the Registrar:
(i) under subsection 19(7) to exercise a power under
subsection 19(3); or
(ii) under subsection 19(3) to license, or refuse to license, a
person who applied to be so licensed in response to an
invitation under paragraph 19(8)(c); or
(iii) under subsection 19(10) to make propagating material
available; or
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(iv) under subsection 19(11) to certify, or to refuse to
certify, a plant variety; or
(iva) under section 21 to amend, or refuse to amend, the
Register; or
(v) under section 30 to accept or reject an application; or
(vi) under section 31 to vary, or refuse to vary, an
application; or
(vii) under subsection 34(1) refusing to extend the period for
giving a detailed description; or
(viii) under section 37 to require a test growing; or
(viiia) under paragraph 37(2B)(b) not to proceed further with
an application, objection or request for revocation; or
(ix) under subsection 38(4) to the effect that the Registrar is
satisfied of the matters referred to in that subsection; or
(x) under subsection 38(5) to the effect that the Registrar is
satisfied of the matters referred to in that subsection; or
(xi) under subsection 39(2) to give a notification to an
applicant; or
(xii) under paragraph 40(8)(b) refusing to extend the period
for rebutting the prima facie case of essential derivation;
or
(xiii) under section 40 in respect of an application for a
declaration of essential derivation; or
(xiiia) under subsection 41A(5) to refuse to consider an
application for a declaration of essential derivation; or
(xiiib) under subsection 41B(3) to publish, or not to publish,
information in a notification under subsection 41B(1) or
(2); or
(xiiic) under subsection 41D(1) to make, or to refuse to make,
a declaration of essential derivation; or
(xiiid) under section 41E to conduct, or not to conduct, a test
growing; or
(xiv) under section 41 to require a test growing; or
(xv) under section 44 to grant, or refuse to grant, PBR in a
plant variety; or
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(xvi) under section 50 to revoke, or not to revoke, PBR in a
plant variety or a declaration that a plant variety is
essentially derived from another plant variety; or
(xvii) under section 62A to rectify, or refuse to rectify, the
Register.
(1A) If:
(a) the Registrar is taken to have made a decision (the initial
decision) under paragraph 76B(2)(a); and
(b) under subsection (1) of this section, applications may be
made to the AAT for review of the initial decision; and
(c) the Registrar, under subsection 76B(3), substitutes a decision
for the initial decision;
applications may be made to the AAT for review of the substituted
decision.
(2) The AAT does not have power under subsection 29(7) of the AAT
Act to extend the time for making an application to that Tribunal
under subsection (1) or (1A) of this section for a review of a
decision.
(3) The Registrar must give public notice of:
(a) any application made under subsection (1) or (1A); and
(b) any decision of the AAT on such an application; and
(c) any decision of a court in relation to, or arising out of:
(i) such an application; or
(ii) a decision of the AAT on such an application.
(4) In this section:
decision has the same meaning as in the AAT Act.
78 Repeal
The Plant Variety Rights Act 1987 is repealed.
79 Compensation for acquisition of property
(1) If, apart from this section, the operation of this Act would result in
an acquisition of property from a person otherwise than on just
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terms, the Commonwealth is to pay the person such reasonable
amount of compensation as is agreed on between the person and
the Commonwealth, or failing agreement, as is determined by a
court of competent jurisdiction.
(2) Any damages or compensation recovered, or other remedy given,
in proceedings that are begun otherwise than under this section
must be taken into account in assessing compensation payable in
proceedings begun under this section and arising out of the same
event or circumstance.
(3) In this section:
acquisition of property has the same meaning as in
paragraph 51(xxxi) of the Constitution.
just terms has the same meaning as in paragraph 51(xxxi) of the
Constitution.
80 Regulations
(1) The Governor-General may make regulations prescribing all
matters:
(a) required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed; or
(b) necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or
giving effect to this Act.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), that subsection includes the power
to make regulations:
(a) prescribing fees including:
(i) fees payable in respect of the making of applications for
PBR, the examination of those applications and the
issue of certificates in respect of the grant of PBR; and
(ii) fees payable in respect of the making of applications for
declarations of essential derivation, the examination of
those applications and the making of those declarations,
including giving interested persons the opportunity to be
heard in relation to applications for declarations under
section 41D; and
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(iii) fees payable by grantees of PBR at specified intervals or
on specified dates; and
(iv) fees payable in respect of costs incurred by the Registrar
in respect of the conduct or supervision of the test
growing of plants; and
(v) different fees for lodging a document with, or giving a
document to, the Registrar according to the means by
which the document is lodged or given; and
(vi) different amounts of a fee according to the means by
which the fee is paid;
and, if the matter is not dealt with by another provision of
this Act, specifying the time at which, or the circumstances in
which, such fees are to be paid; and
(b) making provision in relation to the refund, in specified
circumstances, of the whole or part of a fee paid under this
Act; and
(c) making provision in relation to the remission of, or the
exemption of specified classes of persons from the payment
of, the whole or a part of a fee; and
(d) making provision in relation to the amendment of an entry in
the Register to correct a clerical error or an obvious mistake,
or for any other purpose; and
(e) making such transitional and saving provisions as are
necessary or convenient as a result of the repeal of the Plant
Variety Rights Act 1987 and the enactment of this Act.
Note: For declarations of essential derivation, see sections 40 and 41D.
(3) A fee must be paid by a means determined in an instrument under
subsection 80A(1).
80A Approved means of paying a fee
(1) For the purposes of subsection 80(3), the Registrar may, by
writing, determine one or more means for paying a fee.
(2) The means may be an electronic means or any other means.
(3) The Registrar must give public notice setting out the determination.
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(4) The Registrar may, in a determination under subsection (1), specify
that one or more means for paying a fee are preferred means.
Note: Under the regulations, the amount of a fee may be reduced for paying
the fee by preferred means.
(5) A determination under subsection (1) is not a legislative
instrument.
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Section 81
Part 9—Transitional
81 Definitions
In this Part:
commencing day means the day on which, in accordance with
section 2, this Act commences.
old Act means the Plant Variety Rights Act 1987.
82 Plant variety rights under old Act to be treated as PBR under
this Act
(1) If:
(a) a person was granted plant variety rights in respect of a plant
variety under the old Act; and
(b) those rights were still in force immediately before the
commencing day;
then, subject to the regulations, those rights have effect, despite the
repeal of the old Act, on and after that day, as if:
(c) this Act had been in force at the time when those rights were
granted; and
(d) they had been granted at that time as PBR in that variety.
(2) Despite subsection (1), rights treated as if they had been granted as
PBR under this Act continue in force for so long only as they
would have continued in force if the old Act had not been repealed.
(3) Nothing in this section gives the holder of rights treated as PBR in
a particular plant variety under this Act the right to claim PBR in
respect of plant varieties that would, under this Act, be dependent
plant varieties in relation to that particular plant variety.
(4) Nothing in this section gives the holder of rights treated as PBR in
a particular plant variety under this Act the right to seek a
declaration that another plant variety is an essentially derived
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variety of the particular plant variety unless PBR in that other plant
variety was given only on or after the commencing day.
83 Applications for plant variety rights lodged and criminal
proceedings begun before commencing day
(1) If, before the commencing day:
(a) a person has made application for plant variety rights under
the old Act; but
(b) the application has not been finally disposed of under that
Act;
the provisions of the old Act are taken to continue in force, for the
purpose of dealing with the application, and any objection that has
been made before that day, or is made after that day, in relation to
the application.
(2) If before the commencing day, criminal proceedings had been
begun under the old Act but those proceedings had not been finally
determined before that day, the provisions of the old Act are taken
to continue in force, for the purposes of those proceedings.
84 Other applications and proceedings under old Act
(1) Subject to the regulations, this Act applies, on and after the
commencing day, to any application, request, action or proceeding
made or started under the old Act and not finally dealt with or
determined under that Act before that day as if the application,
request, action or proceeding had been made or started under a
corresponding provision of this Act.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to an application for plant
variety rights, or to criminal proceedings, covered by section 83.
86 Register of Plant Varieties
On and after the commencing day, the Register of Plant Varieties
under the old Act is taken to form part of the Register of Plant
Varieties under this Act.
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Endnotes
Endnote 1—About the endnotes
Endnotes
Endnote 1—About the endnotes
The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.
The following endnotes are included in every compilation:
Endnote 1—About the endnotes
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
Endnote 3—Legislation history
Endnote 4—Amendment history
Abbreviation key—Endnote 2
The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.
Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4
Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.
The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that
has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes
commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving
or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.
The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at
the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information
about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance
with a provision of the law.
Editorial changes
The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make
editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a
compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect
of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.
If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief
outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be
obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.
Misdescribed amendments
A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe
the amendment to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can
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Endnote 1—About the endnotes
be given effect as intended, the amendment is incorporated into the compiled
law and the abbreviation “(md)” added to the details of the amendment included
in the amendment history.
If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the
abbreviation “(md not incorp)” is added to the details of the amendment
included in the amendment history.
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Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
ad = added or inserted o = order(s)
am = amended Ord = Ordinance
amdt = amendment orig = original
c = clause(s) par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)
/sub-subparagraph(s)C[x] = Compilation No. x
Ch = Chapter(s) pres = present
def = definition(s) prev = previous
Dict = Dictionary (prev…) = previously
disallowed = disallowed by Parliament Pt = Part(s)
Div = Division(s) r = regulation(s)/rule(s)
ed = editorial change reloc = relocated
exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have renum = renumbered
effect rep = repealed
F = Federal Register of Legislation rs = repealed and substituted
gaz = gazette s = section(s)/subsection(s)
LA = Legislation Act 2003 Sch = Schedule(s)
LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003 Sdiv = Subdivision(s)
(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given SLI = Select Legislative Instrument
effect SR = Statutory Rules
(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment Sub-Ch = Sub-Chapter(s)
cannot be given effect SubPt = Subpart(s)
mod = modified/modification underlining = whole or part not
commenced or to be commencedNo. = Number(s)
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Endnote 3—Legislation history
Endnote 3—Legislation history
Act Number Assent Commencement Application,
and year saving and
transitional
provisions
Plant Breeder’s Rights 110, 1994 5 Sept 1994 10 Nov 1994 (s 2(1) and
Act 1994 gaz 1994, No S392)
Agriculture, Fisheries
and Forestry Legislation
Amendment Act (No. 1)
1999
4, 1999 31 Mar
1999
Sch 5: 31 Mar 1999 (s 2) —
Public Employment
(Consequential and
Transitional)
Amendment Act 1999
146, 1999 11 Nov
1999
Sch 1 (item 733): 5 Dec
1999 (s 2(1), (2) and gaz
1999, No S584)
—
Agriculture, Fisheries 170, 1999 10 Dec Sch 1: 10 Dec 1999 Sch 1 (item 7)
and Forestry Legislation 1999 (s 2(1))
Amendment Act (No. 2)
1999
Agriculture, Fisheries 115, 2001 18 Sept Sch 1 (items 244–247): s 4
and Forestry Legislation 2001 16 Oct 2001 (s 2)
Amendment
(Application of Criminal
Code) Act 2001
Plant Breeder’s Rights 148, 2002 19 Dec 20 Dec 2002 (s 2) Sch 1 (items 39–
Amendment Act 2002 2002 45)
Intellectual Property 106, 2006 27 Sept Sch 11 (items 1, 2), Sch 11 (item 2),
Laws Amendment Act 2006 Sch 14 and Sch 15 Sch 14 (item 3)
2006 (items 2, 3): 28 Sept and Sch 15
2006 (s 2(1) items 11, (item 3)
13)
Sch 12 (items 5–7): 27
Mar 2007 (s 2(1)
item 12)
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Endnotes
Endnote 3—Legislation history
Act Number Assent Commencement Application,
and year saving and
transitional
provisions
Personal Property
Securities
(Consequential
Amendments) Act 2009
131, 2009 14 Dec
2009
Sch 2 (items 16, 17): 30
Jan 2012 (s 2(1) item 1)
—
Crimes Legislation
Amendment (Serious
and Organised Crime)
Act (No. 2) 2010
4, 2010 19 Feb
2010
Sch 11 (item 15): 20 Feb
2010 (s 2(1) item 13)
—
Statute Law Revision
Act 2010
8, 2010 1 Mar 2010 Sch 1 (item 40) and
Sch 5 (item 137(a)):
1 Mar 2010 (s 2(1)
items 4, 38)
—
Statute Law Revision 5, 2011 22 Mar Sch 1 (item 92): 22 Mar —
Act 2011 2011 2011 (s 2(1) item 2)
Intellectual Property
Laws Amendment
(Raising the Bar) Act
2012
35, 2012 15 Apr
2012
Sch 6 (items 104–108):
15 Apr 2013 (s 2(1)
item 7)
—
Statute Law Revision
Act (No. 1) 2015
5, 2015 25 Feb
2015
Sch 3 (items 147–151):
25 Mar 2015 (s 2(1)
item 10)
—
Intellectual Property
Laws Amendment Act
2015
8, 2015 25 Feb
2015
Sch 3: 25 Aug 2015
(s 2(1) item 4)
Sch 4 (items 59–67, 81–
84): 24 Feb 2017 (s 2(1)
item 5)
Sch 4 (item 81–
84)
Biosecurity
(Consequential
Amendments and
Transitional Provisions)
Act 2015
62, 2015 16 June
2015
Sch 2 (items 47, 48) and
Sch 4: 16 June 2016
(s 2(1) items 2, 4)
Sch 3: 16 June 2015
(s 2(1) item 3)
Sch 3 and Sch 4
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Endnotes
Endnote 3—Legislation history
Act Number Assent Commencement Application,
and year saving and
transitional
provisions
as amended by
Statute Update 93, 2017 23 Aug Sch 2 (item 9): 20 Sept —
(Winter 2017) Act 2017 2017 (s 2(1) item 4)
2017
Acts and Instruments 126, 2015 10 Sept Sch 1 (item 674): 24 Feb —
(Framework Reform) 2015 2017 (s 2(1) item 3)
(Consequential
Provisions) Act 2015
Territories Legislation
Amendment Act 2016
33, 2016 23 Mar
2016
Sch 5 (item 81): 1 July
2016 (s 2(1) item 7)
—
Statute Update (Smaller
Government) Act 2018
4, 2018 20 Feb
2018
Sch 5: 21 Feb 2018
(s 2(1) item 1)
Sch 5 (item 8)
Intellectual Property
Laws Amendment
(Productivity
Commission Response
Part 1 and Other
Measures) Act 2018
77, 2018 24 Aug
2018
Sch 1 (items 7–42) and
Sch 2 (items 43–97, 112,
129–138, 152, 169–179,
201, 202, 209–217, 221–
237, 243–299): 24 Feb
2019 (s 2(1) items 3, 6,
8, 10)
Sch 2 (items 164–167,
337–350, 352–354): 25
Aug 2018 (s 2(1)
items 7, 11)
Sch 1 (item 42),
Sch 2 (items 112,
152, 179, 209,
217, 223, 237,
299) and Sch 2
(item 350)
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Endnotes
Endnote 4—Amendment history
Endnote 4—Amendment history
Provision affected How affected
Part 1
s 3 ..................................................am No 4, 1999; No 148, 2002; No 106, 2006; No 35, 2012; No 8, 2015;
No 62, 2015; No 126, 2015; No 4, 2018; No 77, 2018
s 4 ..................................................am No 77, 2018
s 7 ..................................................rep No 106, 2006
s 8 ..................................................am No 77, 2018
s 9A ...............................................ad No 115, 2001
s 9B................................................ad No 33, 2016
s 10 ................................................am No 77, 2018
Part 2
s 11 ................................................am No 148, 2002
s 12 ................................................rs No 77, 2018
s 18 ................................................rs No 148, 2002
am No 77, 2018
s 19 ................................................am No 8, 2015; No 77, 2018
s 20 ................................................am No 131, 2009
s 21 ................................................am No 170, 1999; No 8, 2015; No 77, 2018
s 22 ................................................am No 77, 2018
s 23 ................................................am No 148, 2002; No 77, 2018
Part 3
Division 1
s 24 ................................................am No 77, 2018
s 25 ................................................am No 131, 2009
s 26 ................................................am No 148, 2002; No 8, 2015
ed C17
am No 77, 2018
ed C20
s 27 ................................................am No 4, 1999; No 148, 2002
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Endnotes
Endnote 4—Amendment history
Provision affected How affected
s 28 ................................................am No 106, 2006; No 77, 2018
s 29 ................................................am No 148, 2002; No 77, 2018
s 30 ................................................am No 148, 2002; No 77, 2018
ed C20
s 31 ................................................am No 8, 2015; No 77, 2018
s 32 ................................................am No 77, 2018
s 33 ................................................am No 77, 2018
Division 2
s 34 ................................................am No 148, 2002; No 62, 2015; No 77, 2018
s 35 ................................................am No 170, 1999; No 77, 2018
s 36 ................................................am No 148, 2002; No 77, 2018
s 37 ................................................am No 170, 1999; No 148, 2002; No 77, 2018
s 38 ................................................am No 77, 2018
Division 3
s 39 ................................................am No 148, 2002; No 8, 2015; No 77, 2018
Division 4
s 40 ................................................am No 77, 2018
ed C20
s 41 ................................................am No 77, 2018
ed C20
s 41A .............................................ad No 77, 2018
s 41B..............................................ad No 77, 2018
s 41C..............................................ad No 77, 2018
s 41D .............................................ad No 77, 2018
s 41E..............................................ad No 77, 2018
s 41F ..............................................ad No 77, 2018
Part 4
Division 1
s 42 ................................................rep No 77, 2018
s 43 ................................................am No 170, 1999; No 148, 2002; No 35, 2012; No 77, 2018
s 44 ................................................am No 77, 2018
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Endnotes
Endnote 4—Amendment history
Provision affected How affected
s 45 ................................................am No 77, 2018
s 46 ................................................am No 77, 2018
s 47 ................................................am No 77, 2018
s 48 ................................................am No 148, 2002; No 77, 2018
s 49 ................................................am No 148, 2002; No 4, 2018; No 77, 2018
Division 2
s 50 ................................................am No 170, 1999; No 148, 2002; No 8, 2015; No 77, 2018
s 51 ................................................am No 5, 2011; No 77, 2018
s 52 ................................................am No 77, 2018
Part 5
s 53 ................................................am No 4, 1999; No 148, 2002; No 77, 2018
s 54 ................................................am No 148, 2002; No 8, 2015; No 77, 2018
s 54A .............................................ad No 77, 2018
s 55 ................................................am No 8, 2015; No 77, 2018
s 56 ................................................am No 8, 2015; No 77, 2018
s 56A .............................................ad No 8, 2015
am No 77, 2018
s 57 ................................................am No 8, 2015
s 57A .............................................ad No 77, 2018
s 57B..............................................ad No 77, 2018
s 57C..............................................ad No 77, 2018
s 57D .............................................ad No 77, 2018
s 57E..............................................ad No 77, 2018
Part 6
s 58 ................................................am No 77, 2018
s 59 ................................................am No 146, 1999
rs No 106, 2006
am No 77, 2018
s 60 ................................................am No 77, 2018
s 61 ................................................am No 4, 1999; No 170, 1999; No 8, 2010; No 77, 2018
s 62 ................................................am No 4, 1999
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Endnotes
Endnote 4—Amendment history
Provision affected How affected
s 62A .............................................ad No 77, 2018
Part 7 .............................................rep No 4, 2018
s 63 ................................................am No 148, 2002
rep No 4, 2018
s 64 ................................................am No 148, 2002
rep No 4, 2018
s 65 ................................................am No 148, 2002
rep No 4, 2018
s 66 ................................................rep No 4, 2018
s 67 ................................................am No 148, 2002
rep No 4, 2018
Part 8
s 68 ................................................am No 77, 2018
s 69 ................................................am No 4, 2018; No 77, 2018
s 70 ................................................am No 77, 2018
s 71 ................................................am No 77, 2018
s 72 ................................................am No 8, 2015
s 72A .............................................ad No 77, 2018
s 72B..............................................ad No 77, 2018
s 72C..............................................ad No 77, 2018
s 73 ................................................rs No 8, 2015
am No 77, 2018
s 74 ................................................am No 115, 2001
s 75 ................................................am No 115, 2001; No 77, 2018
s 76 ................................................am No 4, 2010; No 5, 2015
s 76A .............................................ad No 106, 2006
s 76B..............................................ad No 77, 2018
s 77 ................................................am No 148, 2002; No 77, 2018
ed C20
s 80 ................................................am No 170, 1999; No 77, 2018
s 80A .............................................ad No 77, 2018
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Endnotes
Endnote 4—Amendment history
Provision affected How affected
Part 9
s 85 ................................................rep No 4, 2018
Schedule ........................................am No 148, 2002; No 8, 2010
rep No 35, 2012
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Endnotes
Endnote 5—Editorial changes
Endnote 5—Editorial changes
In preparing this compilation for registration, the following kinds of editorial
change(s) were made under the Legislation Act 2003.
Kind of editorial change
Change to typeface
Details of editorial change
This compilation was editorially changed to update all occurrences of the
italicised words prima facie to regular font.
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