CEO Josep Jove Estiarte said judgement sends a crystal-clear signal that infringement does not pay
Bloom Fresh has secured a major legal victory against repeat infringers of its intellectual property rights, in a long-running case in Italy.
A final court ruling has ordered the infringers to pay over €750,000 in damages, costs, and the return of illegally obtained profits, and mandated the destruction of all unauthorised plants and varietal materials.
This judgment, which follows the historic uprooting of thousands of illegal vines in Bari in 2024, underscores that infringement carries serious consequences and that plant breeders’ rights are crucial to protecting innovation, investment, and fair competition in agriculture.
Bloom’s CEO, Josep Jove Estiarte, said the decision not only strengthens the company’s position and supports its legitimate growers but also sets a clear precedent for the global fruit industry.
“This landmark judgment sends a crystal-clear signal: infringement does not pay. With payments awarded now exceeding three quarters of a million euros, coupled with the destruction of illegal vines and publication orders, the Italian courts have shown that intellectual property rights in agriculture are real, enforceable, and carry serious consequences. We will not hesitate to pursue infringers with the full weight of the law, to protect our varieties and our legitimate growers worldwide,” he said.
This outcome follows failed attempts by associates of the defendants to undermine breeders’ rights through unsuccessful antitrust proceedings. According to Bloom, courts have consistently rejected such tactics, affirming the fundamental role of intellectual property in safeguarding innovation, investment, and fair competition in agriculture.
Estiarte continued: “The integrity of our brands, and the trust placed in us by legitimate growers, are paramount. Upholding IP rights is vital not only for Bloom Fresh, but for the entire agricultural community. This decision strengthens the framework that ensures fairness, quality, and innovation across the fruit industry”.
Bloom said it would continue to lead global enforcement efforts in its own right and as a founding member of The Breeders’ Alliance is working with retailers, distributors, and law enforcement to combat infringement. The company employs extensive market surveillance, cutting-edge DNA testing and legal expertise to ensure compliance and to defend the interests of growers who invest honestly in licensed plantings.
