Is a patent on indoor or vertical farming possible? Well, according to Philips not. Despite Plantlab's claim to have a patent on growing in a completely closed and controlled environment, Philips Lighting will continue with its activities in indoor farming.
Last week, Plantlab announced that it can obtain its patent on indoor farming, described by the company as a 'closed plant nursery system'. Plantlab claims that it has invented the way how you can control the plants growth by influencing the rootzone and leaf temperature in vertical farming. Since 2008, the company has been defending this patent at the European Patent Office (EPO), with Philips Lighting and Certhon as their major opponents.
According to Plantlab, the EPO decided that their patent can be sustained. But the opponents Philips and Certhon doubt this.
"As a support to our customers, we are involved in this case and we doubt the patent from Plantlab in regards to the control of rootzone and leaf temperature in vertical farming. Philips Lighting awaits a formal, written statement of the European Patent Office, before we will undertake any steps, such as an appeal against the verdict."