ORGANIC FARMERS & SEED SELLERS SUE MONSANTO TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM PATENTS ON GENETICALLY MODIFI

[kpete]

ORGANIC FARMERS AND SEED SELLERS SUE MONSANTO TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM PATENTS ON GENETICALLY MODIFIED SEED: Preemptive Action Seeks Ruling That Would Prohibit Monsanto From Suing Organic Farmers and Seed Growers If Contaminated By Roundup Ready Seed

NEW YORK – March 29, 2011 – On behalf of 60 family farmers, seed businesses and organic agricultural organizations, the Public Patent Foundation (PUBPAT) filed suit today against Monsanto Company to challenge the chemical giant's patents on genetically modified seed. The organic plaintiffs were forced to sue preemptively to protect themselves from being accused of patent infringement should they ever become contaminated by Monsanto's genetically modified seed, something Monsanto has done to others in the past.

The case, Organic Seed Growers & Trade Association, et al. v. Monsanto, was filed in federal district court in Manhattan and assigned to Judge Naomi Buchwald. Plaintiffs in the suit represent a broad array of family farmers, small businesses and organizations from within the organic agriculture community who are increasingly threatened by genetically modified seed contamination despite using their best efforts to avoid it. The plaintiff organizations have over 270,000 members, including thousands of certified organic family farmers.

“This case asks whether Monsanto has the right to sue organic farmers for patent infringement if Monsanto's transgenic seed should land on their property,” said Dan Ravicher, PUBPAT's Executive Director and Lecturer of Law at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York. “It seems quite perverse that an organic farmer contaminated by transgenic seed could be accused of patent infringement, but Monsanto has made such accusations before and is notorious for having sued hundreds of farmers for patent infringement, so we had to act to protect the interests of our clients.”

more:
http://www.pubpat.org/osgatavmonsantofiled.htm

[ananda]

1. Good luck to the farmers!

nt

[Buzz Clik]

2. Sounds like a wise move.

:thumbsup:

[ixion]

3. Sue Monsanto out of existence, and restore sanity to our food supply...

they have shown documented malicious intent. It should be an easy case.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

4. good for them! I hope they win. K&R

[dipsydoodle]

5. They should sue Monsanto for criminal trespass.

if seeds do finish up contaminating their land.

[bullimiami]

6. They shouldnt have to sue to protect from being sued.

They should be able to sue for contamination.

[Champion Jack]

7. K & R

[InvisibleTouch]

8. Good on them! I hate Monsanto. n/t

[slay]

9. Good! Whatever it takes to keep Monsanto from owning all the world's food

which is how it will be unless they are stopped. One of the most evil corporations - ever!