"Monsanto Wins Dismissal of Maine Organic Growers' Gene-Patent Suit"

"Monsanto Co., the world's largest seed company, has won the dismissal of a lawsuit by growers of organic crops ... seeking to have its patents for genetically altered seeds invalidated."

"U.S. District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald in Manhattan threw out the organic growers' lawsuit in a ruling dated Feb. 24, saying it represented no controversy and that she had no jurisdiction over the suit. The lawsuit was brought by 36 agricultural and food safety organizations, 14 seed businesses and 33 farms and farmers across the country, according to an amended complaint filed in June. They include the Cornucopia Institute, Fedco Seeds and the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association.

They sued St. Louis-based Monsanto in March 2011 seeking court protection against possible lawsuits by the company for patent infringement if genetically modified crops were mistakenly found among their yields."

Don Jeffrey reports for Bloomberg News February 28, 2012.

SEE ALSO:

"Organic Farmers' Case Against Monsanto Thrown Out by Judge" (Los Angeles Times)

"Monsanto Prevails In Suit Brought By Organic Growers" (Reuters)

 

Source: Bloomberg, 02/28/2012