St. Louis, Missouri, USA
February 26, 2013
Monsanto has worked with several grower leaders in Brazil to seek a common path forward with regards to first-generation Roundup Ready (RR1) soybeans in Brazil. Following these discussions, Monsanto will defer the collection of royalties for RR1 soybeans in Brazil until a final decision has been reached by the courts.
The company intends to continue documenting and maintaining the customary commercial information from those that use RR1 soybeans during this deferral period.
In Brazil, RR1 soybeans are protected by various proprietary rights, including patents. In accordance with Brazilian law, Monsanto has sought to correct the term of one of its Brazilian patent to 2014. That matter is still pending, and Monsanto has appealed the most recent decision by the Superior Court of Justice. After the Superior Court of Justice issues a final ruling on this matter, the case will be definitively decided by the Supreme Court of Brazil.
Farmers that would prefer to seek an immediate resolution continue to have the choice to enroll in a simplified form of the discharge agreement. Growers who signed the first version of the Agreement may keep it, terminate it or replace it with the new document. This document is available online at: www.monsanto.com.br.
Monsanto and these grower leaders recognize that products improved through biotechnology have played an important role in supporting Brazil agriculture, greater on-farm efficiency and increased productivity. Monsanto and these grower leaders recognize the valuable role that intellectual property rights and the principle of paying for technologies each time they are used on farm play in fostering future innovation. Monsanto remains open to dialogue with farmers and their representative entities in order to pave the way for innovation in Brazilian agriculture.
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