Plant
Metasequoia
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 December 18, 2028.
Still under patent — 4 cultivars
Soonest to come off patent first. You may not propagate these for sale until the date shown.
- Shirrmann's NordlichtPP20820Metasequoia glyptostroboides plant named ‘Shirrmann's Nordlicht’UNDER PATENTDecember 18, 2028
- WAH-08AGPP29472Metasequoia plant named ‘WAH-08AG’UNDER PATENTApril 26, 2037
- Urban SpirePP31149Metasequoia tree named ‘Urban Spire’UNDER PATENTJuly 12, 2038
- Soul FirePP32580Metasequoia tree named ‘Soul Fire’UNDER PATENTFebruary 18, 2040
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.
- Golden DawnPP11848Metasequoia glyptostroboides plant named ‘Golden Dawn’PUBLIC DOMAINNovember 12, 2018
Botanically this is Metasequoia. 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.