Bloom Fresh International Ltd. says a court in Italy ordered a grower found to have illegal plantings of Bloom Fresh varieties to remove the vines at its own expense, before a first-instance judgment.
The court ordered the grower to remove illegal IFG Eleven, or Sugar Crisp, vines planted without authorization from Bloom Fresh, according to a news release, which said the grower also faces a civil case on damages related to the plantings.
Bloom Fresh called the development a significant legal victory in a long battle with the grower and noting that this is the second case the grower lost in Italian courts against plant breeders.
“With this decisive court ruling, and the financial penalties that have been imposed, a powerful message has been sent to those contemplating the illegal planting of Bloom Fresh varieties,” Bloom Fresh CEO Josep Estiarte, CEO said in the release. “Infringement of our intellectual property is a serious offense, and we will relentlessly pursue legal action against those who flout these regulations and ensure they face similar repercussions.”
Bloom Fresh said the action by the Italian courts is one of the most significant taken against unauthorized cultivation of fruit varieties in Italian history. The breeder said this ruling emphasizes the importance of compliance with intellectual property laws.
“The integrity of our brands and maintaining the trust and confidence that our legitimate growers place in us is paramount,” Estiarte said. “Upholding our intellectual property rights is crucial not just for Bloom Fresh, but for the entire agricultural community that relies on adherence to legitimate practices to drive quality and innovation.”
Bloom Fresh also won a case against a Peruvian grower who illegally planted proprietary varieties.
