Genus
Liquidambar
5 US plant patents have been granted in this genus. 5 are already in the public domain — anyone may propagate and sell them.
Already in the public domain — 5 cultivars
Most recently freed first. Anyone may propagate and sell these plants — though the name it is sold under may still be a live trademark.
- ClydesformPP10676Sweet gum `Clydesform`PUBLIC DOMAINJanuary 10, 2017
- WardPP10027Sweet gum tree named WardPUBLIC DOMAINMarch 4, 2016
- Grant's Seedless Zn-4PP9788Sweet Gum Tree named `Grant's Seedless Zn-4`PUBLIC DOMAINAugust 31, 2015
- LiquidambarPP5183Liquidambar tree, FremontPUBLIC DOMAINJuly 1, 2002
- Sweet gumPP4601PUBLIC DOMAINAugust 21, 1998
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.