Genus
Ribes
13 US plant patents have been granted in this genus. 4 are already in the public domain — anyone may propagate and sell them. The next of the 9 still protected comes off patent on October 27, 2031.
Still under patent — 9 cultivars
Soonest to come off patent first. You may not propagate these for sale until the date shown.
- Ben ComoPP23416Black currant plant named ‘Ben Como’UNDER PATENTOctober 27, 2031
- Ben ChaskaPP23417Black currant plant named ‘Ben Chaska’UNDER PATENTOctober 27, 2031
- PolaresPP27061Black currant plant named ‘Polares’UNDER PATENTJune 19, 2034
- GofertPP27063Black currant plant named ‘Gofert’UNDER PATENTJune 22, 2034
- TihopePP27062Black currant plant named ‘Tihope’UNDER PATENTJune 25, 2034
- Oregon SnowflakePP26763Flowering currant plant named ‘Oregon Snowflake’UNDER PATENTDecember 26, 2034
- StikinePP30007Black currant plant named ‘Stikine’UNDER PATENTDecember 22, 2036
- NicolaPP34161Black currant plant named ‘Nicola’UNDER PATENTNovember 19, 2040
- SMROCSPP36807Ribes plant named ‘SMROCS’UNDER PATENTDecember 3, 2044
Already in the public domain — 4 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.
- Ben TirranPP11330Black currant plant named `Ben Tirran`PUBLIC DOMAINJune 22, 2018
- Ben ConnanPP9975Black currant plant named `Ben Connan`PUBLIC DOMAINMay 22, 2016
- Ben AlderPP9889Black Currant plant named `Ben Alder`PUBLIC DOMAINFebruary 12, 2016
- JostakiPP5918Variety of Ribes nidigrolaria named JostakiPUBLIC DOMAINFebruary 13, 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.