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February 19, 2013

Fight over Seed Patents Between Monsanto and Farmer Reaches High Court 
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The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments today in a legal
battle between agricultural giant Monsanto and a 75-year-old Indiana
farmer. Monsanto accused Vernon Hugh Bowman of infringing on their seed
patents after he planted soybeans purchased from a local grain elevator
that contained a Monsanto gene. In fact, more than 90 percent of
soybeans in Indiana reportedly contain the gene, which allows them to
survive when sprayed with the company’s Roundup weed-killer. Bowman is
appealing his case after he was ordered to pay Monsanto $84,000. Critics
have accused Monsanto of using their patents to try to monopolize the
supply of certain crops. The case could potentially impact patents
across multiple industries.

 

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