Plant
Columnar apple
10 US plant patents name this plant. 6 have expired, so those cultivars are free to propagate and sell. The next of the 4 still protected comes off patent on January 7, 2029.
Still under patent — 4 cultivars
Soonest to come off patent first. You may not propagate these for sale until the date shown.
- GoldlanePP21413Columnar apple tree named ‘Goldlane’UNDER PATENTJanuary 7, 2029
- MoonlightPP21511Columnar apple tree named ‘Moonlight’UNDER PATENTJanuary 7, 2029
- ROSALIEPP25501Columnar apple tree named ‘ROSALIE’UNDER PATENTMay 16, 2033
- A 68-173PP28439Columnar apple tree named ‘A 68-173’UNDER PATENTJune 2, 2035
Already in the public domain — 6 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.
- Columnar apple tree -- Obelisk varietyPP9060PUBLIC DOMAINJanuary 10, 2014
- HerculesPP9061Columnar apple tree--Hercules varietyPUBLIC DOMAINJanuary 10, 2014
- MaypolePP6184Columnar apple tree--Maypole varietyPUBLIC DOMAINApril 15, 2006
- TelamonPP6224Columnar apple tree--Telamon varietyPUBLIC DOMAINApril 15, 2006
- TuscanPP6225Columnar apple tree--Tuscan varietyPUBLIC DOMAINApril 15, 2006
- TrajanPP6226Columnar apple tree--Trajan varietyPUBLIC DOMAINApril 15, 2006
Botanically this is Malus. 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.