Advances in plant biotechnology have caused an explosion in the use of intellectual property protection through utility patents, plant patents and plant variety protection. This has largely occurred with the major field crops, and to a lessor extent with the so-called minor crops. Public research continues to be the major source for improved barley genetic materials. ARS has adopted the strategy that it will transfer technologies by the most appropriate method after consultations with customers and stakeholders. For barley research this continues to be public release of materials and information using traditional distribution mechanisms. However, ARS will evaluate each case to determine that the most appropriate method is used that will serve the U.S. barley industry needs.