“The Open Source Seed Initiative is an American organization whose mission is “to maintain fair and open access to plant genetic resources worldwide in order to ensure the availability of germplasm to farmers, gardeners, breeders, and communities of this and future generations“.
The OSSI Pledge reads: “You have the freedom to use these OSSI-Pledged seeds in any way you choose. In return, you pledge not to restrict others’ use of these seeds or their derivatives by patents or other means, and to include this Pledge with any transfer of these seeds or their derivatives.” It is not a license. It is a copyleft commitment that ensures the Pledge is transmitted with any further distribution of the seed or the seed of any new varieties bred from it. “The Pledge has both moral and legal force. In this way, OSSI preserves the unencumbered exchange of plant germplasm for breeding purposes and guarantees the rights of farmers and gardeners to save and replant seed“.
The OSSI Pledge consists in:
The freedom to save or grow seed for replanting or for any other purpose.
The freedom to share, trade, or sell seed to others.
The freedom to trial and study seed and to share or publish information about it.
The freedom to select or adapt the seed, make crosses with it, or use it to breed new lines and varieties.”
Learn more at the Open Source Seed Initiative website: https://osseeds.org/.
Sources:
“OPEN SOURCE CANNABIS BREEDING – PART 2.” Strainly. Accessed June 4th, 2019. https://blog.strainly.io/2018/11/11/open_source_cannabis_breeding-part-2/#more-1286.
“The Open Source Seed Initiative.” The Open Source Seed Initiative. Accessed June 4th, 2019. https://osseeds.org/.