Posts Tagged ‘utility patents’

Seeds of Life: David Vs. Goliath (video)

In an ongoing David versus Goliath legal battle, an Oregon organic seed breeder, has successfully sued the USDA over GMO sugar beets.

Genetic Engineering: Road to Paradise or Paradise Lost?

This video from the political advocacy group Greenpeace, provides an overview of the contentious issues of biotechnology (genetic engineering) as it applies to food production. In some ways, biotechnology is the equivalent of the abortion rights issue of the agriculture world. Both sides of the debate hold entrenched views; those in opposition to its use [...]

Patent Law: How Patents Grew Over Time To Include Living Organisms-2

Finally, I suggested two big questions that these new statutes left unanswered: (1) does a living organism other than a plant fall within the patentable subject matter categories for regular utility patents?; and (2) do plants, and seeds, fall within the patentable subject matter categories for regular utility patents? These questions, especially the second, are pressing because utility patent protection is stronger than either of the special protections designed just for plants.

Patent Law: How Patents Grew Over Time To Include Living Organisms

Part 1: Monsanto sells a glyphosate-based herbicide called “Roundup.” Monsanto also sells seeds for crops – such as soy, corn, sugar beet, cotton, and others – that are genetically engineered to resist Roundup. Monsanto calls these seeds “Roundup Ready.” Patent law was critical to Monsanto’s business strategy, on both the herbicide and crop seed sides [...]