Terms of use
Unless service-specific terms of use apply, by browsing the UPOV website and using its online services, the user agrees to the following:
Open access policy
UPOV applies an Open Access Policy in support of its commitment to the sharing and dissemination of knowledge, and to make its publications easily available to the widest possible audience.
UPOV believes that a fundamental purpose of a balanced and effective intellectual property (IP) system, plant variety protection (PVP), is to provide frameworks and incentives that encourage the creation, dissemination and use of works of the human mind for the economic, cultural and social benefit of all.
UPOV promotes universal access to the wealth of knowledge and technology information generated by the UPOV IP system, plant variety protection (PVP). UPOV also makes available collections of publications, data, studies, reports, and learning resources. UPOV’s Open Access Policy formalizes this commitment to knowledge-sharing, providing more streamlined access to these resources, and enabling policymakers, researchers, practitioners and the general public to easily use and build upon them.
What the Open Access Policy does
Under the Open Access Policy, while retaining ownership of the copyright on its content, UPOV facilitates access to its online publications and to other online content published under UPOV’s name, without payment, and minimizes the conditions or restrictions placed on the use of its content.
To support the implementation of the Open Access Policy, UPOV applies Creative Commons (CC) licenses. CC licenses are a set of copyright tools and model agreements that facilitate open access to creative content.
Except for some content published under more restrictive terms (e.g. UPOV PRISMA and PLUTO database), UPOV online publications and other online content are issued under an Attribution 4.0 International CC license (CC BY 4.0). This allows anyone to reproduce, distribute, adapt, translate and publicly perform content published online under UPOV’s name, without explicit permission, provided that such use is accompanied by an acknowledgement that UPOV is the source, and clearly indicates if changes are made to the original content.
The user does not have the right to use any UPOV official emblem or logo and may not, implicitly or explicitly, imply any sponsorship or endorsement by UPOV without the express prior written permission of UPOV. Please send a request to UPOV to obtain such permission.
UPOV retains full copyright ownership of all material unless otherwise specified.
This Open Access Policy is not applicable to third party content. When content published by UPOV contains material that belongs to one or more third-party right holders, including, for example, images, graphics, trademarks or logos etc., anyone wishing to use such content is solely responsible for clearing the rights to that material with the right holder(s).
General Disclaimer
UPOV makes every effort to ensure, but cannot and does not guarantee, and makes no warranties as to, the accuracy, accessibility, integrity and timeliness of this information. UPOV assumes no liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions in the content of its website and online services and further disclaims any liability of any nature for any loss howsoever caused in connection with using its website and online services. UPOV may make changes to these materials at any time without notice.
Hyperlinks to other websites are provided as a convenience only, and imply neither responsibility for, nor approval of, the information contained in those other web sites on the part of UPOV. UPOV makes no warranty, either express or implied, as to the accuracy, availability, reliability or content of such information, text, graphics and hyperlinks. UPOV has not tested any software located on other sites and does not make any representations as to the quality, safety, reliability or suitability of such software.
While UPOV makes every effort to ensure that any software available to be downloaded from the UPOV website and online services is free of any software virus, it cannot guarantee that the material is free from any or all software viruses. UPOV is not responsible for any loss or damage howsoever caused by the software and related codes, including viruses and worms.
The views expressed by third-parties on UPOV website and its online services and publications are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of UPOV or its members. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers on UPOV website and its online services and publications does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by UPOV in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned.
Disclaimer on maps
The designations employed and the presentation of material on maps displayed by UPOV on its website and online services do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
Disclaimer on names and designations
The names and the designations used by UPOV on its website and online services do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UPOV concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area.
Privileges and immunities
Nothing in or relating to these Terms of Use or the UPOV website shall be deemed a waiver of any of the privileges and immunities customarily granted to international organizations and those provided in the Agreement between UPOV and the Swiss Federal Council to determine the legal status in Switzerland of that Union of November 17, 1983, including the implementation arrangement of the same date related thereto.
Settlement of disputes
Any dispute between UPOV and the user arising out of or relating to these Terms of Use that cannot be resolved amicably shall be referred to arbitration in accordance with the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules then in force. The parties shall be bound by any arbitration award rendered as a result of such arbitration as the final adjudication of such a dispute.
Last Updated: March 12, 2024
