A dispute that has lasted some eight years was resolved this month, with Cornell and Landscape Plant Development Center (LPDC) burying their differences and recognizing the contributions each has made to the development of new plant varieties.

In the context of a cooperative landscape plant-breeding project, Cornell and LPDC began their work together in 2003 with the goal of discovering new and innovative plant varieties. A patent obtained by LPDC in 2008 for a Diervilla sessilifolia with varietal name "LPDC Podaras," because of the contributions of LPDC and Peter Podaras, who worked on the new varietal while at Cornell, will be assigned to Cornell as part of the settlement.

Cornell will then exclusively license the plant back to LPDC where it will continue to be marketed through a license with Bailey Nurseries under the trademarked name "Cool Splash." LPDC and Cornell have dropped proceedings that were pending in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office regarding the Diervilla sessilifolia patent.

LPDC is preparing to launch a unique dwarf Physocarpus in the market, while Cornell, through an exclusive license with Ball Nurseries, is launching a novel Buddleia (Flutterby) series and Physocarpus (Gumdrop) series.

Both LPDC and Cornell are relieved that the dispute is resolved and look forward to new opportunities for collaboration.