Plant
Japanese pear
7 US plant patents name this plant. 7 have expired, so those cultivars are free to propagate and sell.
Already in the public domain — 7 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.
- AkizukiPP12373Japanese pear tree named ‘Akizuki’PUBLIC DOMAINMarch 16, 2020
- Osa GoldPP11656Japanese pear tree named `Osa Gold`PUBLIC DOMAINJuly 13, 2018
- Kotobuki ShinsuiPP11545Japanese pear tree named `Kotobuki Shinsui`PUBLIC DOMAINMarch 5, 2018
- HougetsuPP9179Japanese pear tree `Hougetsu`PUBLIC DOMAINMarch 16, 2014
- YasatoPP8115Japanese pear tree "Yasato"PUBLIC DOMAINMarch 12, 2011
- ChikusuiPP7758Japanese pear tree "Chikusui"PUBLIC DOMAINMarch 15, 2010
- Japanese pear treePP6726PUBLIC DOMAINMarch 13, 2007
Botanically this is Pyrus. 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.