Directive 98/44/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the legal protection of biotechnological inventions. Country/Territory European Union Document type Legislation Date 1998 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Cultivated plants Keyword Intellectual property rights/patents Biotechnology Breeders' rights/farmers' rights Plant variety Royalties/fees Data collection/reporting Geographical area Eastern Europe, Europe, European Union Countries, Northern Europe Entry into force notes This Directive came into force on 30 July 1998. Abstract This Directive lays down provisions for the legal protection of biotechnological inventions with a view to encouraging investment and research in the field of biotechnology. The Directive is divided into the following five Chapters: (I) Patentability; (II) Scope of protection; (III) Compulsory cross-licensing; (IV) Deposit, access and re-deposit of a biological material; (V) Final provisions. Inventions shall be patentable in so far as they are new, involve an inventive step and are susceptible Full text English Website europa.eu References - Legislation Implemented by Loi modifiant la loi du 28 mars 1984 sur les brevets d'invention, en ce qui concerne la brevetabilité des inventions biotechnologiques (1). Legislation | Belgium | 2005 Keyword: Intellectual property rights/patents, Biotechnology, Royalties/fees, Breeders' rights/farmers' rights, Plant variety, Data collection/reporting Source: FAO, FAOLEX Decree-Law No. 3 implementing Directive 98/44/EC on the legal protection of biotechnological inventions. Legislation | Italy | 2006 Keyword: Intellectual property rights/patents, Biotechnology, Breeders' rights/farmers' rights, Plant variety, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings Source: FAO, FAOLEX Patent Law. Legislation | Latvia | 2007 Keyword: Intellectual property rights/patents, Biotechnology, GMO Source: FAO, FAOLEX Presidential Decree No. 321/2001 adapting the Greek legislative frame to Directive 98/44/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the legal protection of biotechnological inventions. Legislation | Greece | 2001 Keyword: Animal production, Registration, Certification, Intellectual property rights/patents, Biotechnology, Breeders' rights/farmers' rights, Plant variety, Royalties/fees Source: FAO, FAOLEX European Communities (Legal Protection of Biotechnological Inventions) Regulations, 2000 (S.I. No. 247 of 2000). Legislation | Ireland | 2000 Keyword: Plant production, Biotechnology, Intellectual property rights/patents, Breeders' rights/farmers' rights, Plant variety Source: FAO, FAOLEX Plant Varieties Act (No. 145 of 2001). Legislation | Denmark | 1996 (2001) Keyword: Plant production, Breeders' rights/farmers' rights, Intellectual property rights/patents, Planting material/seeds, Authorization/permit, Registration, Basic legislation Source: FAO, FAOLEX Other references Cited by Monsanto Technology LLC v Cefetra BV and Others Jurisprudence | International court | Argentina, European Union, Netherlands | Jul 6, 2010 Keyword: Pesticides, Agriculture and environment, Biotechnology, Plant protection, Plant production Source: UNEP, InforMEA