Sowing the Seeds of Protection

Authors

Elizabeth I. Winston, The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of LawFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2014

Abstract

Seeds are chattel. As such, seeds are protectable by the same tapestry of public and private ordering as other forms of chattel. However, the distinguishing characteristic of seeds, their method of propagation, and the history of seeds-traditionally viewed as a public good rather than chatteldistort that tapestry. The model of seed distribution thus needs to be refrained in light of the often disparate interests of innovators, producers, and consumers. As with all chattel, there is no single, correct model for distributing seeds, but law and contract may be woven together to strike a balance.

Recommended Citation

Elizabeth I. Winston, Sowing the Seeds of Protection, 2014 WIS. L. REV. 445 (2014).