http://probe.nalusda.gov:8000/related/aboutpvp.html -- Lawrence F. London, Jr. mailto:london@sunSITE.unc.edu http://sunSITE.unc.edu/InterGardenTitle: About PVP
PVP-- Plant Variety Protection Database [browse | query]
ACEDB version: 4.1
Data version: February 1996
Questions regarding these data should be directed to:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The Plant Variety Protection Office
Rm. 500, National Agriculture Library
10301 Baltimore Blvd.
Beltsville, Maryland 20705
Telephone: 301-504-5518
Fax: 301-504-5291
Contact: Cheryl_D_Sultzer@usda.gov (Cheryl D. Sultzer)
Until 1983, the only data commonly released to the public were copies of certificates which had been issued for successful applicants. In 1983, the data for soybeans was released but there was little interest from plant breeders. As personal computers became more commonplace, the ability to quickly scan or search a database made the PVPO data more attractive and useful. In late 1989, an administrative directive provided that non-classified Department of Agriculture data could be made available to the general public in both printed, and electronic form. In 1991, the soybean data were again made available, this time on computer diskettes. The public response was significantly greater than in 1983.