Bloom Fresh wins Sweet Sapphire court fight in China

Fruit breeder Bloom Fresh scored yet another legal victory, this time in China, after the Supreme People’s Court upheld an administrative penalty against an unauthorized operator. The Yunnan-based firm was found guilty of producing, propagating, and selling the protected IFG Six grape variety, marketed as Sweet Sapphire.

The ruling affirms enforcement actions by the Binchuan Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, closing a multi-year infringement case in one of China’s key grape-producing regions.

The court confirmed that the operator infringed Bloom Fresh’s plant variety rights, that the fine previously issued by local authorities was correct and enforceable, and that destruction of all Sweet Sapphire propagating materials was lawful and appropriate.

“This ruling represents a decisive enforcement win and reinforces the strength of PVR [Plant Variety Rights] protection in China,” says CEO Josep Estiarte.

Sweet Sapphire legalization window closes

The enforcement decision coincides with the completion of Bloom Fresh’s IFG Six legalization program in China on October 31. 

"We applaud the efforts of the local authorities to implement the PBR law and take action against infringements. We also applaud the Supreme People's Court for upholding the decision and actions of the administrative authorities,” adds Bloom Fresh Chief Legal Officer, Alanna Rennie. 

With the window closed, the company says it will pursue any identified infringements to protect authorized flowers and preserve the quality, reputation, and value of the varietal in the Chinese market.

“This implementation and upholding of the law in China gives Bloom Fresh renewed energy and confidence to continue investing in the long-term development of varieties for Chinese farms and consumers and commercializing these in China,” Rennie adds.

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