Our Mission

The Seed Innovation and Protection Alliance (SIPA™) is established to promote the understanding and value of seed innovations as well as to facilitate and promote the respect of intellectual property rights for the benefit of members, growers, industry associates, consumers and the agricultural community.

Our members include leading seed companies and service providers from throughout the United States and the world.

SIPA welcomes membership from across the seed industry, including but not limited to seed companies, growers, producers, authorized dealers, brokers, suppliers, service providers, universities, as well as state and federal agencies.

SIPA strives to identify and develop educational materials as well as best practices related to the identification, promotion, and protection of seed innovation.

SIPA serves as both a clearinghouse and repository of educational materials as well as provides educational workshops to further foster understanding and appreciation of seed innovations.

SIPA supports the use of education as an instrument to protect innovation as well as to facilitate and promote respect of intellectual property rights.

Through the development and dissemination of educational materials including best practices, SIPA seeks to educate its members, growers, industry partners and the agricultural community about the rights and responsibilities of intellectual property owners concerning seeds and traits, including patents, plant variety protection, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets.

SIPA works to realize its mission by promoting and encouraging a high standard of business ethics among its members and the seed industry through the development of a Code of Ethics.

SIPA encourages its members, growers, industry partners as well as the agricultural community to honor all valid obligations and contracts between seed companies, suppliers, and customers involving the use and protection of intellectual property. Such obligations and contracts include licensing agreements, agreements governing confidentiality and trade secrets as well as those involving the production, marketing, distribution, or sale of seed.

Learn more about the code of ethics

SIPA maintains a collection of contact information for specialist service providers such as attorneys, technical experts, and other consultants.

These specialists are experienced in, and understand the various aspects and specific issues related to the protection of seed innovation.

Dedicated to Promoting Seed Innovation

SIPA welcomes membership from across the seed industry, including, growers, producers, authorized dealers, brokers, suppliers, service providers, universities, as well as state and federal agencies.

View our member’s brochure

Guiding Principles

SIPA works to realize its mission by promoting and encouraging the high standard of business ethics among its members and the seed industry and is guided by a Code of Conduct.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CODE OF ETHICS

SIPA encourages its members as well as the agriculture community to honor all obligations and contracts between seed companies, suppliers, and customers involving the use and protection of intellectual property.

Such obligations and contracts include licensing agreements and agreements governing confidentiality and trade secrets as well as honoring all valid obligations and contracts involving the production, marketing, distribution, or sale of seed.

We believe education is a foundation of transparency, therefore we work to educate members, the industry, growers and the community at large on the benefits of seed innovation and rights and responsibilities of intellectual property owners concerning seeds and traits, including patents, plant variety protection, plant breeders’ rights, trademarks, and copyrights.

We are committed to best practices related to the identification, promotion, and protection of seed innovation. We believe in taking a proactive approach to education on the benefits of seed IP and the need for protection. As such, SIPA will serve as both a clearinghouse and repository of educational materials and events to further foster understanding and appreciation of seed innovations.

VISIT SIPA’S FAQ TO LEARN MORE

Become a SIPA Member

The Seed Innovation and Protection Alliance is established to promote the understanding and value of seed innovations as well as to facilitate and promote the respect of intellectual property rights for the benefit of members, growers, industry associates, consumers and the agricultural community. To learn more, visit our SIPA Member Benefits & Terms on our website.

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