Global table grape leader Bloom Fresh is celebrating a year of success for its plant variety rights (PVR) enforcement program in Italy. Over the last twelve months, the company secured a series of landmark victories that protect and reinforce the integrity of its licensed varieties across the country.
Some of the company’s most significant 2026 court wins were against growers of SHEEGENE 9 (marketed under the trade mark MELANIE™) in Bari, SHEEGENE 20 (marketed under the trade mark ALLISON™), and SHEEGENE 2 (marketed under the trade mark TIMPSON™). All of these cases resulted in the removal of vines, provisions of undertakings restraining future infringing conduct, disclosure of the source of infringement materials, and financial compensation.
“This has been a landmark year for our enforcement program in Italy. Protecting our PVRs isn't just about defending Bloom Fresh; it's about protecting every licensee who has invested in growing our varieties the right way,” said Bloom Fresh CEO Josep Estriate.
Now, Bloom Fresh is facing another legal battle with a provisional victory against Top Fruit di Angela Colucci, Angela Colucci and La Fitta di Angela Colucci.
In a first-instance decision in this long-running case, the Court of Bari ruled that the company’s PVRs had been infringed, awarded damages, and demanded the payment of unlawfully obtained net profits well over €750,000 ($877,000). Additionally, the court ordered the destruction of all unauthorized plants and the publication of the decision in the renowned Italian newspaper Il Corriere della Sera.
This matter is still ongoing, as the defendants appealed the decision and the process is still pending.
Beyond the court, Bloom Fresh has also stepped up enforcement at the border. The company recently filed an EU-wide Application for Action with Customs, notifying the authorities across the bloc of its PVRs and enabling them to detain and seize unauthorized fruit imported into the EU from illegal growers.
“The results show that we will pursue infringement wherever it occurs, in the courts and at the ports, to preserve the integrity of our varieties and the trust of our licensees,” Estriarte added.
Bloom Fresh also recently delivered dedicated training to Italy's customs authority, briefing officers on PVRs and on how unauthorized fruit can be detected and stopped at the border. The firm is working with European authorities to roll out its training across other ports.
The firm continues to safeguard its varieties and protect its licensees' investment, who rely on a level playing field to compete fairly.
*All images courtesy of Bloom Fresh.
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