Harvest of Unauthorized Planting of IFG SUGAR CRISP™ in Italy Donated to Non-Profit Organization
Court of Bari Authorizes Donation of more than 45 tons of illegal fruit harvested
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (October 24, 2022) – International Fruit Genetics, LLC (IFG), the largest table grape breeder in the world and owner of a series of table grape varietals, including IFG ELEVEN (SUGAR CRISP™️), IFG SIX (SWEET SAPPHIRE™️), and IFG NINE (JACK’S SALUTE™️), announced that it has been working with the Court of Bari in Italy regarding the stoppage of the illegal planting and growing of its protected table grape varietal Sugar Crisp™.
On Sept. 19, a Court of Bari judge authorized the donation of the harvested illegal fruit produced at the farm LA FITTA DI COLUCCI ANGELA to the non-profit association G.I.R.A.F.F.A. (Gruppo Indagine Resistenza alla Follia Femminile) Onlus, based in Bari. G.I.R.A.F.F.A. Onlus in turn was allowed to sell the harvested fruit to a soft drink production company and utilize the proceeds to carry out its mission of helping women who are victims of violence.
The illegal plantation consisted of 2,284 plans that were subject to seizure by the Court of Bari’s recent decision. The grape harvest concluded with more than 45 tons (equal to approximately 99,000 lbs.) of illicit grapes, which have a very high market value.
“We are extremely satisfied with this result and would like to thank everyone who has been involved in this judicial process to ensure that the legality of our rights is protected,” said Andy Higgins, CEO of IFG. “, I would like to thank the judicial custodian and the personnel of the G.I.R.A.F.F.A. Onlus association who spent time and resources to obtain this excellent result.
“Growing plants of any IFG proprietary grape variety without the permission of IFG infringes on our intellectual property rights as well as those of our licensees. We will continue to enforce our policies to combat possible activities that violate our rights and those of our licensees,” Higgins continued.
Last week, IFG announced it was working with the Peruvian authorities of INDECOPI and the National Institute of Agrarian Innovation (INIA) in the city of Ica, to identify properties where there is unauthorized planting, cultivating or illegally collecting and selling of the IFG’s protected table grape varieties.