Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: BusinessLine
Context: The Delhi High Court has ruled in favour of PepsiCo, allowing the company to claim a patent for the potato variety used in its potato chips.
- Pepsi had filed an appeal under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001 (the Act) challenging the order of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Authority (the Authority) in the Delhi High Court.
- The decision overturns a previous order that revoked Pepsi’s patent-protected potato variety, FL 2027, used in chip production
The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001 (PPVFR Act) was enacted by the Parliament of India. The act’s objectives include:
- Establishing a system to protect plant varieties and the rights of farmers and plant breeders
- Recognizing and protecting farmers’ rights for their contributions to conserving, improving, and making available plant genetic resources
- Safeguarding researchers’ rights and the larger public interest
