Paul Swanson authored an article in Oregon Business magazine’s November issue titled “How Apple Plant Patents Liberated the American Palate.” The article discusses the advent of new patented apples, focusing on flavor rather than appearance, and a shift in preferences from the historically dominant red delicious to the newly patented varieties.
In an era characterized by federal government gridlock and dysfunction, our plant patent system offers a healthy counterpoint. New apple varieties — such as the up and coming SweeTango® — undermined a grower/distributor imposed Red Delicious hegemony, reviving the truly scrumptious taste of apples in our present time.