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The Patent Garden

Plant

Cotoneaster

7 US plant patents name this plant. 1 has expired, so that cultivar is free to propagate and sell. The next of the 6 still protected comes off patent on October 20, 2030.

Still under patent — 6 cultivars

Soonest to come off patent first. You may not propagate these for sale until the date shown.

Already in the public domain — 1 cultivar

Most recently freed first. Anyone may propagate and sell this plant — though the name it is sold under may still be a live trademark.

Botanically this is Cotoneaster. 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.