Genus
Tilia
5 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 1 still protected comes off patent on December 7, 2037.
Still under patent — 1 cultivar
Soonest to come off patent first. You may not propagate these for sale until the date shown.
- KROMMPP30737Tilia tree named ‘KROMM’UNDER PATENTDecember 7, 2037
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.
- Shibamichi GoldPP16433Tilia cordata plant named ‘Shibamichi Gold’PUBLIC DOMAINDecember 8, 2022
- Harvest GoldPP12232Linden tree named ‘Harvest Gold’PUBLIC DOMAINMay 21, 2019
- HalkaPP10589Linden tree `Halka`PUBLIC DOMAINJanuary 10, 2017
- NorbertPP6745Littleleaf linden named `Norbert`PUBLIC DOMAINNovember 13, 2007
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.