March 3, 2012

Source: ISB News Report - February 2012
http://www.isb.vt.edu/news/2012/Feb12.pdf

by Phill Jones

The AgBiotech industry experiences countless court battles as companies enforce patent rights against each other and against farmers. Ironically, the expiration of patents will inflict strife as well. The patent on Monsanto's genetically engineered (GE) Roundup ReadyR 1 soybean technology is set to expire in 2014. Consequently, farmers could save seed from their 2014 GE RR 1 soybean harvest for planting in 2015. Seed producers will be able to use or even stack the RR 1 trait without paying royalties to Monsanto. Patent expiration could mean cost savings for farmers and more freedom to grow GE plants that contain the RR 1 trait without fear of a patent infringement suit. Yet any advantages offered by patent expiration come with a cost.

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

Published: March 2, 2012