Plant
Black currant
9 US plant patents name this plant. 2 have expired, so those cultivars are free to propagate and sell. The next of the 7 still protected comes off patent on October 27, 2031.
Still under patent — 7 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
- StikinePP30007Black currant plant named ‘Stikine’UNDER PATENTDecember 22, 2036
- NicolaPP34161Black currant plant named ‘Nicola’UNDER PATENTNovember 19, 2040
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.
- Ben TirranPP11330Black currant plant named `Ben Tirran`PUBLIC DOMAINJune 22, 2018
- Ben ConnanPP9975Black currant plant named `Ben Connan`PUBLIC DOMAINMay 22, 2016
Botanically this is Ribes. A patent expiring frees the plant, and its cultivar name with it — cultivar names cannot be trademarked. Any brand name it is sold under is a separate thing and may still be owned.