Yes a patented plant can be used for crosses. In the case of seed varieties like a crop the seed is also covered under the patent because that's how they're propagated but not in the case of semps. Of course you can give away these plants to friends. I'm sure most friends would be delighted to receive them. You just can't sell them.
So many of my plants, including all the ones that will be offered through Mountain Crest are not patented. It's only the Chick Charms ones that are. There should be quite a few of these in the coming years and these are ones that I thought are unique and valuable for collectors but not for the mass market. For the Chick Charm branded items, they have to propagate at VERY high numbers in order to be profitable.
Kevin
