Genus
Origanum
8 US plant patents have been granted in this genus. 2 are already in the public domain — anyone may propagate and sell them. The next of the 6 still protected comes off patent on February 20, 2035.
Still under patent — 6 cultivars
Soonest to come off patent first. You may not propagate these for sale until the date shown.
- BellissimoPP27353Origanum plant named ‘Bellissimo’UNDER PATENTFebruary 20, 2035
- ALL120506PP29589Origanum plant named ‘ALL120506’UNDER PATENTJanuary 23, 2037
- PierrePP33095Oregano plant named ‘Pierre’UNDER PATENTFebruary 13, 2040
- EliPP33413Oregano plant named ‘Eli’UNDER PATENTFebruary 13, 2040
- Drops of JupiterPP33367Origanum plant named ‘Drops of Jupiter’UNDER PATENTNovember 19, 2040
- Gilt TripPP35473Origanum plant named ‘Gilt Trip’UNDER PATENTJanuary 26, 2043
Already in the public domain — 2 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.
- Zorba WhitePP13831Origanum plant named ‘Zorba White’PUBLIC DOMAINJune 17, 2022
- Zorba RedPP13841Origanum plant named ‘Zorba Red’PUBLIC DOMAINJune 17, 2022
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.