Law on the Protection of Plant Varieties and Seed Cultivation (No. I-1518).

The Law creates, regulates and protects plant breeders' property rights, as well as the dissemination and sale of plant and seed varieties. Applications for registration of new varieties must be submitted to the Centre for Variety Research (CVR) (art. 6). Conditions for registration are its "newness, distinctiveness, similarity and stability" (art. 9). A Register of Plant Varieties shall be kept (art. 11). Property rights shall be protected for 25 to 30 years depending on variety (art. 12) and can be revoked if the CVR is satisfied that the variety does not satisfy article 9 or if the breeder does not meet certain other requirements designated in the Law (art. 15). On the basis of scientific research, a List of Plant Varieties Most Suited for Cultivation in Lithuania shall be drawn up (art. 17-18). Article 19 lays down requirements for the trade (import and export) of such varieties (quality and phytosanitary certificate, among others). Quality standards of seed crops, seeds and seedlings shall be controlled by the State Service for the Estimation of Seed Quality (art. 20). The owner of a variety has the right to transfer the right of use, by licence agreement (art. 21). The remaining final provisions deal with claims for compensation, dispute settlement and international cooperation.