Freeing Crop Genetics through the Open Source Seed Initiative.

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Intellectual Property Law

Background:

• Historically, seeds were freely available for farming and plant breeding.
• Recent decades have seen increasing restrictions on seed access due to intellectual property rights (IPRs).
• This consolidation of control over plant germplasm threatens traditional practices and future innovation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI) as a counter-movement to IPR-driven restrictions on seed access.
• To explain OSSI's open source mechanism for ensuring continued access to crop genetic resources.
• To highlight the role of the OSSI Pledge in creating a protected commons for plant germplasm.

Main Methods:

• The study describes the emergence and goals of the Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI).
• It highlights the OSSI Pledge as a commitment by plant breeders.
• The mechanism of fostering exchange and innovation through an open source model is discussed.

Main Results:

• OSSI provides a framework for open access to plant genetic resources.
• The OSSI Pledge encourages plant breeders to contribute to a shared resource.
• This initiative aims to ensure the availability of diverse germplasm for future generations.

Conclusions:

• The Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI) offers a viable model to counteract restrictive IPRs on seeds.
• By embracing open source principles, OSSI facilitates collaboration and innovation in plant breeding.
• OSSI is crucial for safeguarding crop genetic diversity and ensuring equitable access to vital agricultural resources.