Genus
Lotus
7 US plant patents have been granted in this genus. 6 are already in the public domain — anyone may propagate and sell them. The next of the 1 still protected comes off patent on September 29, 2032.
On the name: Filed as Lotus. Now generally treated as a synonym under current taxonomy.
Still under patent — 1 cultivar
Soonest to come off patent first. You may not propagate these for sale until the date shown.
- CoFlashPP24953Lotus vine named ‘CoFlash’UNDER PATENTSeptember 29, 2032
Already in the public domain — 6 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.
- TiGoPP14118Lotus vine plant named ‘TiGo’PUBLIC DOMAINApril 4, 2021
- Amazon SunsetPP10864Lotus vine plant named `Amazon Sunset`PUBLIC DOMAINSeptember 26, 2017
- Amazon ApricotPP10868Lotus vine plant named `Amazon Apricot`PUBLIC DOMAINSeptember 26, 2017
- Charles ThomasPP5794Lotus plant CV Charles ThomasPUBLIC DOMAINOctober 18, 2005
- Angel WingsPP5799Lotus plant CV Angel WingsPUBLIC DOMAINOctober 18, 2005
- Maggie Belle SlocumPP5798Lotus plant CV Maggie Belle SlocumPUBLIC DOMAINOctober 9, 2005
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.