Wouldn't think anyone would try to defend a plant patent nowadays anyway, considering the legal cost involved. Speaking from experience here, we spent a bundle getting a patent for one of my husband's designs only to find out that if someone really wants to buy one from us and send it to China to be mass-produced, we could never afford to pursue it. He has a nice plaque on the wall showing his patent, though . .
A hobbyist who propagated their patented orchid would do so just to have another nice plant, or to give to a friend. The patent holder would never know.
Even a small grower like Ken, who might propagate an orchid like that to sell would never present enough of a financial threat to the patent holder to make it worthwhile to defend. (although they might threaten) Unless a huge grower was going to produce thousands of the plants, what would be the gain?
Further thought on a reason to patent an orchid - there sure probably aren't very many 'Coronation' around now, so Ted that plant may be worth a small fortune! Even though the patent probably expired years ago, it may have accomplished what the grower wanted which was to keep the value of the plants up. But . . . if the grower went bankrupt, maybe that didn't work either??
Now, the way to find out would be to put a division up on eBay.
