# Asexual propagation **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 31, 2003, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asexual-propagation/165551 "2003-03-31T21:41:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mister\_me](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cdc98d/32.png) [@mister\_me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mister_me)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2003, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asexual-propagation/165551/1 "2003-03-31T21:41:00Z")
I just bought some thornless blackberry vines for my backyard. The label states that asexual propagation (I assume cloning) is illegal for this specific plant. Can anyone tell me why? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2003, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asexual-propagation/165551/2 "2003-03-31T21:45:17Z")
> [@](#): > > Many hybridizers now patent their selections. When a plant patent is filed, it is illegal for anyone to propagate the plant for 17 years without written permission from the patent holder. From [this article on asexual propagation methods](http://www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/mg/manual/prop2.htm). ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2003, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asexual-propagation/165551/3 "2003-03-31T22:58:43Z")
I don’t know if it varies regionally, but I thought that the propagation ban only covered propagation for resale/distribution and that the gardener was permitted to propagate for own use. (it’s pretty near impossible to _prevent_ a blackberry plant from propagating vegetatively).