7 USC § 2357 - Unauthorized practice

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t7/s2357"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "7 USC § 2357 - Unauthorized practice"
title_number: 7
title_name: "AGRICULTURE"
section_number: "2357"
section_name: "Unauthorized practice"
chapter_number: 57
chapter_name: "PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION"
subchapter_number: "I"
subchapter_name: "PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION OFFICE"
part_number: "B"
part_name: "Legal Provisions as to the Plant Variety Protection Office"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 91–577, title I, § 27, Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1545; Pub. L. 103–349, § 13(e), Oct. 6, 1994, 108 Stat. 3143.)"
---


# § 2357. Unauthorized practice

section 2356 of this title

Anyone who in the United States engages in direct or indirect practice before the Office of Plant Variety Protection while suspended or excluded under , or without being admitted to practice before the Office, shall be liable in a civil action for the return of all money received, and for compensation for damage done by such person and also may be enjoined from such practice. However, there shall be no liability for damage if such person establishes that the work was done competently and without negligence. This section does not apply to anyone who, without a claim of self-sufficiency, works under the supervision of another who stands admitted and is the responsible party; or to anyone who establishes that the person acted only on behalf of any employer by whom the person was regularly employed.

---

**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 91–577, title I, § 27, Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1545; Pub. L. 103–349, § 13(e), Oct. 6, 1994, 108 Stat. 3143.)

## Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1994— substituted “the person” for “he” in two places in last sentence.

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Amendment by  effective 180 days after , see , set out as a note under .