August 2013

Source: ISB News Report
By Phill Jones

During December 2012, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit decided the case, In re Ditto, an appeal about patent claims to a hybrid cat. The US Patent and Trademark Office patent examiner rejected all claims because, among other reasons, the claims were anticipated by prior art references.

The Assiduous Fight against GE Alfalfa
In May 2003, Monsanto and Forage Genetics submitted a petition to the US Department of Agriculture, requesting nonregulated status for two Roundup Ready® alfalfa lines. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service decided that it was unnecessary to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and unconditionally deregulated the genetically engineered (GE) alfalfa. This summary highlights events of the next eight years.

Another Misfire for a Preemptive Strike
During March 2011, the Public Patent Foundation filed a lawsuit in a New York federal district court against Monsanto and on behalf of family farmers, seed businesses, and organic farming agricultural organizations. It was a preemptive strike intended to prevent Monsanto from raising a successful patent infringement suit against a farmer whose crops became accidentally contaminated with Monsanto’s GE seeds.

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Website: http://www.isb.vt.edu

Published: August 7, 2013