Learn The Licensing Process Behind The US Early Pride Tangerine

Citrus Nursery Source: Take Pride

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The May 2011 edition of “Citrus Nursery Source” highlighted the development of the US Early Pride Tangerine, and its availability to nurseries and growers on a trial basis. Being the first USDA tangerine release since 1987 and the first patented USDA citrus variety, the US Early Pride is commanding some deserved attention. Nurseries and growers are inquiring about its availability and the process for commercializing a patented variety out of a national breeding program. This is a unique story of unparalleled cooperation and planning.

The US Early Pride will be well positioned as an early tangerine in the Florida and western U.S. growing areas. Fallglo acreage presently primes the pump for the Florida tangerine season as the early market tangerine of choice. As a nearly seedless variant of the Fallglo, it is hoped the US Early Pride will provide nurseries and growers a variety that can immediately fill a niche. However, the citrus producing states recognized value in protecting the US Early Pride through a patent process in order to cooperatively manage its entrance into the marketplace; ensuring strong domestic performance and timely and optimal international movement. The states have a shared interest in this unique variety and sought a system to collectively manage it in the best interest of the American citrus grower.

Securing The Rights

New Varieties Development & Management Corp. (NVDMC) offered to seek exclusive rights to US Early Pride, and to establish a management program in cooperation with the other states. At the request of industry, USDA-ARS’s Office of Technology Transfer filed a patent application for the US Early Pride on Feb. 10, 2011 (serial# 12/931,765). On June 22, 2011, the same office filed a Federal Register Notice of Intent to Grant an Exclusive License to NVDMC. The comment period closed without objection. The USDA-ARS Office of Technology Transfer is now working on a draft of a license agreement that will move the industry one step closer to implementing a commercial plan for the US Early Pride.

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While USDA is drafting its license agreement, NVDMC has formed a multistate US Early Pride Advisory Board, comprised of two representatives from each participating citrus producing state. This Advisory Board will address key operational and market issues related to commercialization. Through this system, growers in Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas will have equal opportunity to participate in US Early Pride production, packing, and marketing. Nurseries will be licensed in all interested states for propagation. Nurseries interested in this variety are encouraged to contact NVDMC to begin budwood increase now, shortening the timeline for commercial propagations down the road. Clean budwood is available through FDACS-DPI to nurseries under agreement.

Team Effort

USDA-ARS has been responsive to industry needs and concerns throughout this entire patent and license process. All too often, we hear the stories of government inefficiencies and bureaucratic red tape. In the case of US Early Pride, our Ft. Pierce USDA Horticultural Research Laboratory (led by the efforts of Dr.’s Calvin Arnold and Greg McCollum) has prepared all necessary documentation, and the Office of Technology Transfer has helped guide industry through this new and uncharted territory. This is a learning process for all involved, but one that should pay dividends down the road.

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