Open Source Seeds

International

• Global Coalition of Open Source Seed Initiatives - an international coalition of organizations, individuals - farmers, seed keepers, plant breeders, activists - working to ensure that seeds can be freely used and shared in perpetuity
  • Video Presentation, 2021 Jul

US

The Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI)

• The OSSI Pledge - "You have the freedom to use these OSSI- Pledged seeds in any way you choose. In return, you pledge not to restrict others’ use of these seeds or their derivatives by patents or other means, and to include this Pledge with any transfer of these seeds or their derivatives."
  • Ensures the Four Open Source Seed Freedoms for this and future generations
    • The freedom to save or grow seed for replanting or for any other purpose.
    • The freedom to share, trade, or sell seed to others.
    • The freedom to trial and study seed and to share or publish information about it.
    • The freedom to select or adapt the seed, make crosses with it, or use it to breed new lines and varieties.
• OSSI Pledged Varieties
• FAQ
• Stats: 529 OSSI pledged varieties, 50 plant breeders, 77 seed company partners (2022 Mar 18)

• Video: The emergence of open source genetics through freed seed | Irwin Goldman | TEDxUWMadison

Europe

OpenSourceSeeds

• The Open-Source Seed Licence (PDF)
  • There are no licensing fees and the licence for open-source seed allows almost everything:
  • Anyone may use open-source seed, grow it, propagate it and develop it further through breeding. In addition, the seed and any further developments of it may be sold, exchanged or given away within the framework of existing laws.
  • No one is allowed to privatise the seed and its further developments; patent and plant-variety protection are thus excluded.
  • Each recipient transfers the same rights and obligations to future users of the seed and its further developments.
• FAQ
• Varieties
• Potential issues:
  • The license may not have the same force in a country that has not ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity (e.g. the United States, Vatican City and disputed territories such as Kosovo)
  • If you develop any open-source varieties through further breeding or crossbreeding you need to comply with The Nagoya Protocol
  • Licence agreements with non-EU citizens outside the EU's territory may not be that effective. Contact them for more information.
• Stats: 11 varieties (2022 Mar 18)

Others

• Bioleft - a community that builds an open seed exchange and breeding network
  • Currently in Argentina and Mexico
  • Supports 3 kind of licences: Open Multiplication, Exclusive Multiplication, No Multiplication