Culture Collections and Patent Depositions

Abstract

This chapter describes how to handle the patent culture collection and points out the few problems encountered in maintaining a special collection of patent deposition strains over the past 24 years. The first deposition of microorganisms in culture collection was made by the American Cyanamid Company, in August 1949. Arrangements were made to deposit this strain in NRRL, now known as the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Culture collection, and it was accessioned as strain NRRL 2209. The practice of patent culture deposition has continued over the years; the ARS Culture Collection now maintains a patent culture collection of more than 1000 strains, the great majority of which are Actinomycetales. U.S. patents covering the use of about one-half of these strains have been granted. The chapter presents procedures and policies statement as a guide for prospective depositors. Generally, cultures are accessioned in patent culture collection on the day the deposit material is received and the depositor is so informed of the date. This procedure is based on the premise that the deposited material is, in fact, viable and authentic. The availability and confidentiality of patent deposition cultures has been a matter of considerable concern to both foreign and domestic depositors and to the U.S. Patent Office.