Genus
Zelkova
7 US plant patents have been granted in this genus. 3 are already in the public domain — anyone may propagate and sell them. The next of the 4 still protected comes off patent on October 23, 2028.
Still under patent — 4 cultivars
Soonest to come off patent first. You may not propagate these for sale until the date shown.
- JFS-KW1PP20996Japanese Zelkova tree named ‘JFS-KW1’UNDER PATENTOctober 23, 2028
- JSC KingsthreePP22107Zelkova tree named ‘JSC Kingsthree’UNDER PATENTNovember 24, 2029
- ZSMTFPP34322Zelkova tree named ‘ZSMTF’UNDER PATENTApril 20, 2041
- JFS KW4ZSPP34818Japanese Zelkova tree named ‘JFS KW4ZS’UNDER PATENTApril 25, 2042
Already in the public domain — 3 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.
- ZSFKFPP17220Japanese Zelkova tree named ‘ZSFKF’PUBLIC DOMAINFebruary 24, 2024
- Zelkova treePP5687PUBLIC DOMAINJuly 9, 2004
- serrataPP5080Zelkova serrata treePUBLIC DOMAINDecember 10, 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.