Prefixes used in variety names are intended to be 2 to 4 letter acronyms that allows for:
- quick association between a variety and an entity
- something to be understood to represent an entity
Conditions
The use of prefixes within a variety name will be allowed when the following conditions are met:
- the variety name (in totality) continues to meet all requirements of the Seeds Regulations, 67.1 (1) (g-j), namely:
- it cannot be a registered trademark in respect to the variety
- it cannot be likely to mislead a purchaser with respect to the composition, genetic origin or utility of the variety
- it cannot be likely to be confused with the name of a variety that was or currently is registered
- it cannot be likely to offend the public
- the prefix is not currently in use or associated with another entity
- the prefix is not likely to be confused with a current or past prefix
- the prefix is a single word or series of letters (for example, VRO)
- the prefix is separated from the rest of the variety name by a space
- there are no numeric characters within the prefix
- only 1 prefix should be associated with an entity, unless special approvals are sought through discussion with the Variety Registration Office
Contact us
The Variety Registration Office maintains a list of all prefixes in use, and what entity they relate to.
If you wish to use a new prefix, contact the Variety Registration Office at VRO-BEV@inspection.gc.ca, in advance of your application for variety registration to confirm that the prefix is available. If the prefix is available, we will add the prefix to the list and associate it with the appropriate entity.
We act on a first-come, first-service basis as varieties with new prefixes are registered.