U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Monsanto Patents
14 January 2014 The U.S. Supreme Court decided not to review lower court decisions upholding Monsanto’s position in a lawsuit brought by the Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association over fears of litigation involving accidental pollination.
Seventy-three U.S. farmers, seed companies and public advocacy groups appealed their case against Monsanto to the Supreme Court last year, seeking to challenge Monsanto’s claims on patents of genetically modified seeds and its ability to sue those whose fields are contaminated by the seeds.
The U.S. District Court and U.S. Court of Appeals had both ruled against the plaintiffs, pointing out that Monsanto had never sued anyone for accidental pollination and had publicly committed not to do so.
Monsanto issued this statement:
“Monsanto never has and has committed it never will sue if our patented seed or traits are found in a farmer’s field as a result of inadvertent means. The lower courts agreed there was no controversy between the parties and the Supreme Court’s decision not to review the case brings closure on this matter.”
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