品种权说明书背后，有判决书守护

Core Viewpoint - The Supreme People's Court ruled in favor of Heng Company in a plant variety rights infringement case against Jin Company, ordering Jin Company to cease infringement and pay a total of 53.547 million yuan in damages, marking a significant precedent in China's plant variety rights protection [1][3][5]. Group 1: Case Details - The case involved the corn variety "NP01154," owned by Limagrain Europe, which authorized Heng Company to exclusively produce and operate it in China [2]. - Heng Company claimed that Jin Company used "NP01154" as a parent to produce seven unauthorized hybrid corn varieties, seeking punitive damages of 160 million yuan and reasonable legal expenses of 200,000 yuan [2]. - The first-instance court ruled in favor of Jin Company, citing a report that claimed the varieties were different, which Heng Company contested in the appeal [2][3]. Group 2: Judicial Findings - The Supreme Court found insufficient evidence to support Jin Company's claims regarding the differences between the varieties, determining that the evidence presented by Heng Company proved the infringement [3][4]. - The court highlighted that Jin Company's infringement lasted five years, covering an area of 8,243.4 acres, and deemed the infringement serious, leading to the imposition of punitive damages [3][5]. Group 3: Implications for Intellectual Property Protection - The ruling emphasizes the importance of strengthening intellectual property rights protection in the seed industry, which is crucial for agricultural development and food security [7]. - The case reflects the increasing judicial response to the demand for plant variety rights protection, with a significant rise in related cases filed since the establishment of the Intellectual Property Court [7][8]. - The court's approach in this case sets a precedent for future disputes, particularly regarding the use of molecular markers in determining variety identity and the conditions for expanding testing points [5][6]. Group 4: Industry Impact - The ruling is seen as a victory for the seed industry, encouraging companies to invest in research and development, and reinforcing the equal protection of intellectual property rights for both domestic and foreign entities [6][7]. - The Supreme Court's actions contribute to establishing a robust legal framework for intellectual property rights, enhancing China's reputation as a responsible protector of such rights on the global stage [6][8].