FAQ

Why are you doing this?
We are committed to leveraging our native trait inventions and making them broadly accessible with a goal to improve plant breeding for all. We understand that license negotiations can be time and resource intensive. Therefore, we have set up an efficient, facilitated licensing process for plant breeders to access our patented native traits under transparent, FRAND  (fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory) terms. We are proud to offer such a progressive system, which we believe is well-adapted to the modern needs of plant breeding.

Who benefits from this system?
We all benefit. Breeders benefit from quick and easy access to our patented native traits. Syngenta benefits from the increased dissemination and use of our technologies. And importantly, farmers and consumers benefit, as licensing our commercialized vegetables traits ensures that our innovations can be used in more varieties and combinations.

How does e-licensing work?
Licensing our patented native traits in commercial vegetable varieties takes three simple steps:

1. Simply access our e-license website
2. Choose the desired native trait and find out more information about its characteristics, standard license terms, and available commercial varieties
3. Send us an email with the relevant company details. When you receive the standard agreement, sign both copies and send them back to Syngenta. Once the agreement is counter-signed, the trait can be used for breeding.

What is your view on stacking multiple traits?
At the moment we don't see the need to handle differently the case of multiple traits stacked in one variety. This may change in the future as the industry practices evolve.

Are you only licensing patents that have already been granted?
The technologies presented on this website are all patented, i.e. protected by a granted patent or a published patent application in at least one country. This information is available from the "legal status data" field on the page of each technology.

Do you also offer the know-how to use your technologies?
Transfer of know-how, markers or biological material is not part of the standard license agreement, but we are happy to discuss this further with interested parties. Please email us at e.licensing@syngenta.com.

Does the license also cover past use of material with the patented trait?
No, the license obtained through our e-license system provides access for breeding and development from the effective date of the license contract onwards. In case of 'past use' a licensee may also obtain a license, but this requires a separate bilateral agreement.
Please note that a special introductory offer for our "basic" traits applies for license agreements completed before 1 May 2012!

What happens to the improvements a licensee makes on the licensed technology?
Improvements remain the sole property of the licensee. A non-assert clause present in the licensing agreement means that a licensee cannot block or sue Syngenta with improved technology. The grant back clause entitles Syngenta to use improvements for internal use only.

Do you also enter into bilateral agreements?
This offer in our standard license agreement represents the most cost-effective option available. We implement the terms on non-discriminatory terms, therefore more favorable conditions are not available by contacting us. However, bilateral agreements may be used in specific cases when the deal entails other than a monetary retribution.

How do you classify a trait as "basic" or "differentiating"?
Basic traits are patented innovative traits that are 'a technical must have' in modern varieties, and where the impact on the market price of the seeds is limited. Differentiating traits are patented innovative traits that have a (proven) significant added value in the market, which translates into a significantly higher seed price.

How can I be sure the terms are FRAND (fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory)?
The license agreement provides a "most favored royalty terms" guarantee. In case an industry licensing platform is established, a licensee can switch to the industry terms. For more information, please see details of the standard license agreement.

Are there plans to offer more patents than the four currently listed?
As more varieties with patented native traits are commercialized, the number of available traits will increase. We are also exploring the option to include patented native traits from other crops, as well as enabling technologies.

Are other companies doing this?
We know that the seed industry is currently discussing an industry platform approach for licensing traits and we continue to support these efforts. However, since completion of these discussions and final implementation could take some time, Syngenta wants to demonstrate that e-licensing using FRAND-conditions can be done. We hope that other companies will soon follow, so we all can gain some experience and useful learnings in the short term with regards to making patented native trait more accessible to breeders.