As creators of plant varieties, breeders can benefit from a specific protection, the Plant Variety Certificate, to protect their innovations. In this case, they can entrust Sicasov with the management of their innovations under mandate or as a concession.
Sicasov subsequently grants operating licences to companies wishing to produce and sell seeds of these varieties in return for the payment of a royalty.
To date, Sicasov manages approximately 4,800 plant varieties of 150 species on behalf of more than 300 public and private members or associates from France and abroad.
Licensed producers not only have access to the varieties requested, but they also benefit from simplified administrative management and a protective legal framework through Sicasov.
Each year, more than 10,000 production contracts are awarded to nearly 1,300 companies in France and abroad.
In this way Sicasov becomes the privileged point of contact of breeders and producers of seed or plants.
On request from producers, Sicasov may grant a production contract under licence defining all the usage conditions of the variety, in particular the terms of declaration of production or sale that allow royalties to be calculated.
Sicasov ensures the proper application of contracts, taking into account both the breeder rights and the interests of producers by guaranteeing a framework of fair competition.
In accordance with the contractual terms, licensed producers declare the quantities produced and/or marketed. Sicasov invoices and collects the royalties due on the basis of these declarations. These royalties are then redistributed to the relevant rights holders.
To ensure compliance with contracts, Sicasov performs regular checks of declarations on the basis of statistics or during on-site inspections.
In the case of unauthorised production or sales, Sicasov may bring infringement proceedings.
For certain species, the Plant Variety Certificate grants farmers the right to produce their own seed in return for fair remuneration to the rights holder.
In order to comply with these obligations, specific cross-branch agreements have been set up and Sicasov is responsible for their implementation.