Egyptian courts order the destruction of illegally planted grapevines and award damages in favor of Sun World, reinforcing the company’s commitment to protecting its intellectual property and supporting licensed growers.
Sun World International, LLC, a prominent California-based breeding and licensing company, has recently secured two legal victories in Egypt, as courts in Cairo and Tanta ruled in its favor in an infringement case against unauthorized grape growers.
The rulings impose strict measures on two Egyptian farmers found guilty of illegally producing and selling Sun World’s patented grape varieties. The courts issued injunctions prohibiting the unlicensed propagation and sale of Sun World grapes, ordered the uprooting of illegally planted grapevines, and mandated the destruction of these plants at the offenders’ expense. Additionally, monetary damages were awarded against the infringers.
For more than four decades, Sun World has been at the forefront of developing and licensing its proprietary plant varieties, including over 200 patented table grape varieties and other fruit crops such as cherries and mangoes. These varieties are licensed to growers in 22 countries, offering them access to high-quality fruits that command premium prices in international markets.
Egyptian growers have long been a part of this network, benefiting from the company’s innovative breeding techniques. However, in recent years, some unauthorized farmers in Egypt have been found violating Plant Variety Rights (PVR) by cultivating and selling Sun World’s grapes without a license, thereby threatening the economic viability of authorized growers.
Sun World’s legal victory in Egypt safeguards the integrity of its premium MIDNIGHT BEAUTY® grapes by enforcing IP rights. | Image: Courtesy of Sun World
According to a press release, Sun World’s vice president of IP and general counsel, Michael Stimson, emphasized the company’s commitment to protecting its intellectual property rights. “Sun World will enforce the full extent of its rights against these infringers, seeking to stop illegal production, remove the infringing plantings, and collect damages for past infringement,” he stated. Stimson further noted that illegal farming practices not only violate Egyptian PVR laws but also disrupt the export market for licensed Egyptian growers, lowering the market price for those who legally produce Sun World’s varieties.
Sun World’s efforts to combat these illegal activities are ongoing, with the company continuously monitoring grape-growing regions and consumer markets globally. Stimson pointed out that through private investigations and court orders, they identified unauthorized growers in Egypt cultivating Sun World’s proprietary vines.
The company took legal action following extensive investigations to protect its intellectual property and support its licensed growers who follow the proper protocols. “These illegal infringers are reducing the market price for the fruit grown by law-abiding, licensed Egyptian farmers who grow Sun World varieties. So, we work tirelessly worldwide to enforce our intellectual property against every single infringer we find,” added Stimson.
The legal actions taken by Sun World also highlighted specific instances of brand misuse, particularly concerning the Sugrathirteen black seedless grape variety, marketed under the MIDNIGHT BEAUTY® brand. Unauthorized growers in Egypt have been found selling this variety under the “Black Magic” brand, an act that subjects them to both criminal and civil liabilities. Sun World has encouraged Egyptian farmers interested in cultivating this variety to obtain proper licenses to ensure they are marketing the fruit legally under the authorized MIDNIGHT BEAUTY® brand.
For those interested in licensing Sun World varieties, the company has designated Ben Taieb as the licensing manager for Egypt, and he can be contacted for further inquiries.
Sun World International continues to lead the industry in fruit breeding and varietal development. The company’s global network includes licensed growers and marketers in regions across the United States, Europe, Australia, South America, Israel, North Africa, and South Africa. The company’s dedication to innovation and its robust intellectual property strategy are central to its mission of advancing global fruit production. More details about Sun World and its operations can be found on their official website.
This development underlines the increasing importance of intellectual property enforcement in agriculture as companies like Sun World strive to maintain fair market practices and protect the livelihoods of licensed farmers around the globe.
