New varieties of plants, such as vegetables, fruit trees and crops having increased yields or higher quaLity, as well as attractive ornamental plants and pretty flowers, can have a significant economie value in agriculture, horticulture. forestry. and in the market of flowers and omamenlal plants. However, once released. a plant variety can be easily reproduced to the detriment of the investments made by the breeder for its development. Plant variety protection allows a breeder to obtain exclusive rights. making exploitation of the protected variety require the prior authorization of thebreeder.