Nuovi ritrovati vegetali, tutela brevettuale e mercati agroalimentari: alcune riflessioni storico-comparative

The article explores how the protection of new plant varieties has evolved over time. Adopting an historical and comparative perspective, it analyzes the different legal models that have made possible the commodification of germplasm and how these models are strictly interconnected to technological and social transformations that have characterized the development of new plant varieties. It concludes by highlighting the need to go beyond an analysis strictly confined within the borders of IP in order to fully appreciate the impact that IP rights have on crucial themes such as food security and distribution of value in the agri-food chains.