Genus
Ligustrum
6 US plant patents have been granted in this genus. 1 is already in the public domain — anyone may propagate and sell it. The next of the 5 still protected comes off patent on January 21, 2028.
Still under patent — 5 cultivars
Soonest to come off patent first. You may not propagate these for sale until the date shown.
- SunshinePP20379Ligustrum plant named ‘Sunshine’UNDER PATENTJanuary 21, 2028
- NCLX1PP27301Ligustrum plant named ‘NCLX1’UNDER PATENTJanuary 14, 2035
- Green GlobalPP31112Ligustrum plant named ‘Green Global’UNDER PATENTJune 7, 2038
- NCLO1PP34245Ligustrum ovalifolium plant named ‘NCLO1’UNDER PATENTJune 9, 2041
- NCLJ1PP35881Ligustrum plant named ‘NCLJ1’UNDER PATENTJune 6, 2043
Already in the public domain — 1 cultivar
Most recently freed first. Anyone may propagate and sell this plant — though the name it is sold under may still be a live trademark.
- Privet plantPP5469PUBLIC DOMAINMay 14, 2002
A patent expiring frees the plant, and its cultivar name comes with it — cultivar names cannot be trademarked, so they are always free to use. What it does not free is any brand name the plant is marketed under. Those are trademarks and renew indefinitely.