Lawyers representing farmers in a class-action suit against Monsanto that seeks to invalidate the company’s patents will present oral arguments Thursday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
The original lawsuit was filed in March 2011 by the Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association and sought court protection for farmers whose seeds may have become contaminated with Monsanto’s patented seeds and may be accused of infringement.
The case was dismissed in February 2012 by Judge Naomi Buchwald of the Federal District Court.
“The District Court erred when it denied the organic seed plaintiffs the right to seek protection from Monsanto’s patents,” Dan Ravicher, an attorney with the Public Patent Foundation, which is representing the plaintiffs, said in a statement. “At the oral argument on January 10, we will explain to the Court of Appeals the District Court’s errors and why the case should be reinstated.”
Farmers and the OSGTA, along with representatives of Food Democracy Now, are also planning a protest in Washington, D.C. on Thursday.
Read more here: http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/blog/2013/01/farmers-to-appeal-ruling-in-suit.html
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