Plant
Lithodora
5 US plant patents name this plant. 1 has expired, so that cultivar is free to propagate and sell. The next of the 4 still protected comes off patent on May 21, 2028.
Still under patent — 4 cultivars
Soonest to come off patent first. You may not propagate these for sale until the date shown.
- White StarPP20078Lithodora plant named ‘White Star’UNDER PATENTMay 21, 2028
- MonRikPP26250Lithodora plant named ‘MonRik’UNDER PATENTFebruary 1, 2034
- Crystal BluePP26553Lithodora plant named ‘Crystal Blue’UNDER PATENTNovember 13, 2034
- LITGSPP28629Lithodora plant named ‘LITGS’UNDER PATENTAugust 23, 2036
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.
- Lithospermum StarPP10096Lithodora diffusum plant named `Lithospermum Star`PUBLIC DOMAINAugust 8, 2016
Botanically this is Lithodora. 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.