On October 27, 2023, Orsola Lamberti, Legal Officer at the CPVO was among the panelists of a seminar organized by Assosementi in Bologna, Italy.

In light of the EU Commission's proposal on NGTs (New Genetic Technologies) dated July 5, 2023, the seminar aimed to provide plant innovators with an overview of the current protection tools available. The sessions delved into the opportunities, costs, benefits, best practices, and the potential for other parties to utilize protected materials. The seminar served as a platform for experts from academia, legal professions, and institutional bodies to discuss the far-reaching implications of New Breeding Techniques (NBTs) on Community Plant Variety Rights (CPVR).

The conference began with a welcome note from Eugenio Tassinari, the President of Assosementi. His opening remarks established the day's agenda, focusing on the impact of genetic advancements on plant variety protection, particularly within the framework of the European Union.

Orsola Lamberti from the Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO) elaborated on the significance of CPVR in the context of these technological advancements. Lamberti emphasized that CPVR serves as a robust framework for intellectual property protection, and that its importance is amplified as NBTs evolve.

The seminar elucidated the rapidly changing landscape of plant variety protection, especially in light of the advent of New Breeding Techniques. With the potential to dramatically shift the industry, the role of CPVR remains more crucial than ever in providing legal and financial safeguards for plant breeders.

Financial support mechanisms were also discussed during the seminar. The European Commission and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) offer a specialized fund that reimburses up to 50% of the online application fees for CPVR, up to a maximum of 225 Euros per application for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).