Illegally grown grape harvest donated to aid nonprofit
Proceeds from the sale of illegally planted grapes will support an organization that helps women who are victims of violence.
Bakersfield, Calif.-based International Fruit Genetics LLC had sought to end the unauthorized growing of its protected table grape varietal Sugar Crisp at a farm in Italy, according to a news release. A Court of Bari judge ruled Sept. 19 that the harvest could be donated to the nonprofit GIFAFFA Onlus, which was allowed to sell the fruit to a soft drink production company.
More than 45 tons of grapes were harvested from 2,284 plants subject to seizure by the court’s decision, the release said.
“Growing plants of any IFG proprietary grape variety without the permission of IFG infringes on our intellectual property rights as well as those of our licensees,” Andy Higgins, CEO of IFG, said in the release. “We will continue to enforce our policies to combat possible activities that violate our rights and those of our licensees.” He said the company is thankful for all who helped during the judicial process.
IFG also announced last week it was working with Peruvian authorities and the National Institute of Agrarian Innovation in the city of Ica, according to the release, to identify other sites involved in illegal operations involving the company’s protected table grape varieties.
