Introduction
The legal characterization and treatment of trade-related biotechnological processes and products are described as Intellectual Property. Its protection (Intellectual Property Protection, IPP) and the Rights (Intellectual Property Rights, IPR) available to protect this property has been the subject of discussion in recent years. The term property is often found associated with physical objects only, such as household goods or land, for which ownership and associated rights are guaranteed and protected by law prevalent in a country.

Another examples of intellectual property is the development of crop varieties which are protected through ‘plant breeder’s rights’ (PBR). Through PBR, the plant breeder who developed a variety enjoys the exclusive right for marketing the variety, although use of the variety for further breeding or for replantation of seed saved by a farmer is permissible.

More recently, however, utility patents for genetic materials, both plants and animals, have been allowed in some countries, so that the patented material can neither be used for further breeding, nor will the farmers be allowed to save and use the seed for cultivation, without paying a fee to the patent holder.