Genus
Pittosporum
16 US plant patents have been granted in this genus. 7 are already in the public domain — anyone may propagate and sell them. The next of the 9 still protected comes off patent on April 24, 2029.
Still under patent — 9 cultivars
Soonest to come off patent first. You may not propagate these for sale until the date shown.
- ElfinPP21822Pittosporum plant named ‘Elfin’UNDER PATENTApril 24, 2029
- ConpittoPP22024Pittosporum plant named ‘Conpitto’UNDER PATENTFebruary 2, 2030
- Silver BallPP25705Pittosporum tenuifolium plant named ‘Silver Ball’UNDER PATENTSeptember 13, 2033
- SEASIDEPP26713Pittosporum plant named ‘SEASIDE’UNDER PATENTAugust 16, 2034
- GloBallPP28696Pittosporum plant named ‘GloBall’UNDER PATENTOctober 28, 2036
- PITTLB2PP28726Pittosporum plant named ‘PITTLB2’UNDER PATENTOctober 28, 2036
- PTG19PP33255Pittosporum plant named ‘PTG19’UNDER PATENTJuly 18, 2040
- PITG722PP35651Pittosporum plant named ‘PITG722’UNDER PATENTMay 3, 2043
- KFPIPB20PP35637Pittosporum plant named ‘KFPIPB20’UNDER PATENTJune 26, 2043
Already in the public domain — 7 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.
- CNI ThreePP16188Pittosporum plant named ‘CNI Three’PUBLIC DOMAINFebruary 7, 2025
- Golf BallPP15329Pittosporum plant named ‘Golf Ball’PUBLIC DOMAINDecember 1, 2023
- WilleiiPP11218Pittosporum plant named `Willeii`PUBLIC DOMAINJanuary 8, 2018
- Hines HardyPP7304Pittosporum tobira `Hines Hardy`PUBLIC DOMAINDecember 19, 2008
- ShimamotoPP6449Pittosporum plant `Shimamoto`PUBLIC DOMAINNovember 17, 2006
- LauraleePP5893Pittosporum plant `Lauralee`PUBLIC DOMAINDecember 2, 2005
- Zones 9PP4919Variegated Pittosporum plantPUBLIC DOMAINMay 12, 2001
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.