Launching Its Largest Global Campaign Against Table Grape IP Infringement Following Major Legal Victories

October 10, 2025

As the Northern Hemisphere table grape harvest approaches its peak, BLOOM FRESH™ is sending a clear and uncompromising message to intellectual property (IP) infringers worldwide: unauthorized cultivation will not be tolerated. Backed by a series of landmark legal wins, the company has launched its most comprehensive global enforcement campaign to date.

Defending Premium Genetics and Market Integrity

Created from the merger of IFG and SNFL, BLOOM FRESH™ manages the genetics of both breeding programs and holds the rights to some of the most sought-after table grape varieties in the market, including IFG Ten (Sweet Globe™), IFG Seven (Cotton Candy™), IFG Six (Sweet Sapphire™), Sheegene 20 (Allison™), and Sheegene 2 (Timpson™).

The company warns that unauthorized production is not just a matter of unfair competition that destabilizes the market; it poses significant quality risks that can damage consumer trust in premium table grapes.

Josep Estiarte, CEO of BLOOM FRESH™, emphasized the company’s firm stance: “Innovation is the foundation of this industry, but it can only thrive if we protect it. We will not hesitate to take action against unauthorized growers and marketers who infringe upon our rights. We are protecting our licensed growers, who invest in bringing the highest quality fruit to the market, and ensuring consistent quality for consumers globally.”

Landmark Legal Victories in Italy, China, and South America

BLOOM FRESH™’s zero-tolerance policy has already yielded substantial results globally. Over the past season, the company secured unprecedented legal victories to protect its proprietary varieties:

Italy: In a definitive ruling by the court in Bari, a serial offending grower was ordered to remove all illegal IFG ELEVEN (Sugar Crisp™) vines at their own expense. This individual now faces both civil damages and criminal proceedings.
China: The company achieved its most significant judicial success to date, reinforcing IP protection in one of the world’s largest and most complex markets.
South America: Successful legal actions led to the eradication of hundreds of hectares of unauthorized vineyards in both Peru and Brazil.

Scaling Up Global Enforcement and Technology

To prevent future violations, BLOOM FRESH™ is deploying state-of-the-art surveillance and enforcement mechanisms across the supply chain:

Customs Control Programs: Launching soon in Europe, this initiative works directly with border authorities to detect and seize infringing fruit or plant material at key entry points.
DNA Testing Hubs: In collaboration with local authorities, the company is setting up a DNA laboratory in Egypt for rapid testing to accurately identify illegal material.
The Global Breeders Alliance: As a founding member, BLOOM FRESH™ shares intelligence and coordinates resources with other premium breeders to identify and confront large-scale offenders.

Paul Farmer, Director of Quality and Innovation at BLOOM FRESH™, highlighted why this matters for the end buyer: “When retailers and consumers buy authorized BLOOM FRESH™ varieties, they can have confidence in what they are purchasing. Unauthorized production puts that consistency at risk.”

A Call to Action for the Supply Chain

BLOOM FRESH™ is calling upon the entire value chain—growers, exporters, importers, marketers, and retailers—to collaborate by reporting any suspected unauthorized production or commercialization. Through relentless monitoring, specialized legal teams, and technological innovation, BLOOM FRESH™ remains fully committed to safeguarding the investments of legitimate growers and preserving the future of agricultural innovation.

For more details, see the following sources and references: