Seed Wars: Indian Court Protects Breeders' Registered Maize Variety

Summary: How safe is your maize? A recent injunction for infringement of a maize variety in India has given a jolt to the agricultural industry, raising questions about what it takes to protect a plant variety.

In a rare case involving the infringement of a plant variety, an Indian court recently granted an interim injunction to a company claiming breeders' rights over a hybrid maize variety, generally considered to be a high stakes cash crop. By three orders dated 28.3.2025 in M/s. Advanta Enterprises Ltd. v. Yaganti Agrotech Pvt. Ltd. (IA Nos. 31, 32, 33 of 2025 in COS No. 3 of 2025), the Commercial Court of Hyderabad granted an interim injunction to the petitioner ("Advanta") for infringement under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights, 2001 (the "PPVFR Act").