The Judgement discussed herein delves into the pivotal role played by the "DUS (Distinctiveness, Uniformity, and Stability) Test" in the registration process of plant varieties under the Protection of Plant Variety Act. Through the lens of five writ petitions brought before the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi, the article scrutinizes the question of whether the DUS Test is a prerequisite before the publication of a Plant Variety application.

Introduction:
The Protection of Plant Variety Act aims to safeguard the rights of plant breeders and promote the development of new plant varieties. Central to this regulatory framework is the DUS Test, a comprehensive examination that assesses the distinctiveness, uniformity, and stability of a plant variety. This article explores the legal significance of the DUS Test, focusing on its role in the pre-publication stage of a Plant Variety application.

The Writ Petitions:
Five writ petitions before the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi raised a fundamental query: Does the DUS Test need to be conducted before the publication of a Plant Variety application? The controversy revolved around the advertisement of five plant varieties, namely MRC 7351 BGII, MRC 6322 Bt, MRC 7383 BG II, MRC 6918 Bt, and MRC 7301 BG II. The petitioners argued that these applications were erroneously advertised without undergoing the essential DUS Test.

Legal Precedent:
The Hon'ble High Court of Delhi, referring to a prior judgment reported as "262 (2019) DLT 411 in the case of Pioneer Overseas Corporation Vs. Chairperson Protection of Plant Varieties Rights", upheld the significance of the DUS Test. The court, in the earlier case, had established that Section 19 of the Protection of Plant Variety Act mandates the completion of the DUS Test before the advertisement of a plant variety application.

Judicial Analysis:
The Hon'ble Single Judge, presiding over the five writ petitions, concurred with the precedent and emphasized the mandatory nature of the DUS Test before the advertisement stage. In a reasoned judgment, the court highlighted the statutory framework of the Protection of Plant Variety Act, underscoring the need for a thorough examination of distinctiveness, uniformity, and stability. The court held that as the subject matter applications were advertised without undergoing the DUS Test, such advertisements were irregular and set aside.

Remand and Implications:
The court, after setting aside the advertisements, remanded the applications back to the Registrar for compliance with the statutory requirement of the DUS Test. This decision underscores the court's commitment to upholding the integrity of the registration process, ensuring that plant varieties are scrutinized for their distinctiveness, uniformity, and stability before they are made available to the public.

The Concluding Note:
The DUS Test emerges as a linchpin in the Protection of Plant Variety Act, serving as a robust mechanism for evaluating the essential characteristics of plant varieties. The Delhi High Court's reaffirmation of the mandatory nature of the DUS Test prior to advertisement reinforces the commitment to maintaining the integrity of plant variety registrations, thus striking a balance between the interests of plant breeders and the public.

The Case Law Discussed:
Case Title: Nuziveedu Seeds Pvt. Ltd. Vs The Protection of Plant Variety and Farmers Rights Authority
Date of Judgement/Order:04.12.2023
Case No. W.P.(C) 4312/2014
Neutral Citation No:2023:DHC:8595
Name of Hon'ble Court: Delhi High Court
Name of Hon'ble Judge: C Hari Shankar, HJ

Disclaimer:
Ideas, thoughts, views, information, discussions and interpretation expressed herein are being shared in the public Interest. Readers' discretion is advised as these are subject to my subjectivity and may contain human errors in perception, interpretation and presentation of the fact and issue involved herein.

Written By: Advocate Ajay Amitabh Suman, IP Adjutor - Patent and Trademark Attorney
Email: [email protected], Ph no: 9990389539