Organic Seed Growers & Trade Association et al. v. Monsanto was filed in federal district court in Manhattan, NY, on March 29, 2011, on behalf of 60 family farmers, seed businesses and agricultural organizations and challenges Monsanto’s patents on genetically engineered (GE) seed. This landmark lawsuit also seeks Court protection for family farmers who, through no fault of their own, may have become contaminated by Monsanto’s patented GE seed and find themselves accused of patent infringement.
Following an oral hearing in January of 2012, Judge Naomi Buchwald sided with Monsanto in honoring their motion to dismiss. On July 5, 2012 the plaintiff group −which has grown to represent over 300,000 individuals and 4,500 farms− filed a brief with the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C., asking the appellate court to reverse the lower court’s decision from February dismissing protective legal action against agricultural giant Monsanto’s patents on genetically engineered seed. The oral argument was heard on January 10, 2013 and we are awaiting ruling.
Click here to read OSGATA’s Press Releases regarding the Monsanto lawsuit.
Related Documents
Transcript of Oral Arguments in OSGATA et. al. v. Monsanto. 1/10/13.
Amici Brief filed by Law Professors. 7/17/12.
Amici Brief filed by Non-Profit Organizations. 7/17/12.
Appeal Brief. 7/5/12.
Notice of Appeal. 3/28/12.
Judge Buchwald’s Ruling. 2/24/12.
The complete transcript of the Oral Argument. 1/31/12.
Brief filed by the plaintiffs in opposition to Monsanto’s motion to dismiss. 8/11.
Friend-of-the-court amici brief filed by 12 organizations.
OSGATA Amended Complaint. 6/1/11.
Original OSGATA et al. v. Monsanto Filing. 3/11.
Related News
“Monsanto versus the People.” Aljazeera. 1/14/13.
“Farmers Rally at White House to Protest Monsanto’s GMO Empire.” Common Dreams. 1/11/13.
“Small farmers optimistic in battle with with biotech giant Monsanto.” Penobscot Bay Pilot. 1/11/13.
“Maine farmer heads group challenging genetics giant.” Maine Sunday Telegram. 1/9/13.
“Maine Farmers Appeal Monsanto Ruling.” MPBN interview. 1/13.
“Maine farmers, others have court date to refute Monsanto ruling.” By Avery Yale Kamila. 11/24/12.
“Maine farmers get second chance in court against Monsanto.” By Whit Richardson. 11/24/12.
“The Truth About GMOs- A Potato Farmer Knows.” Jim Gerritsen. NYC. 10/22/12
“Beyond Monsanto: Rekindling a Healthy Earth in the Face of Corporate Farming.” By Burl Hall. OpEdNews. 9/7/12.
“Small Farmer Jim Gerritsen Takes on Monsanto.” Burl & Merry Hall interview (59:21) Jim Gerritsen. Envision This: BlogTalkRadio. 9/5/12.
“Natural Foodie: Food-Fight fallout May Drift Over Maine.” By Avery Yale Kamila. The Portland Press Herald. 9/5/12.
“Monsanto Comments on Myth about Accidental Pollination.” Hoosier Ag Today. 9/4/12.
“OSGATA Appeal Moves Forward in DC Court.” By Deniza Gertsberg. GMO Journal. 7/24/12.
“RadioActive” host Meredith DeFrancesco interviews Jim Gerritsen. WERU Community Radio− 89.9 FM Blue Hill, ME. 7/19/12.
Bill Moyers interviews Vandana Shiva on the Problem with Genetically-Modified Seed. Bill Moyers. 7/13/12.
“Facebook ‘Likes’ Could Help Your Business.” By Veronica Hoyos Leonard. The Packer. 6/21/12.
“Organic Farmers vs. Monsanto: Appeal Filed!” By Jack Adam Weber. Wake Up World. 5/28/12.
“Apathy is Democracy’s Greatest Enemy.” By Lillian M. Lake. Eat Maine Foods. 5/23/12.
“Monsanto Allowed to Put Genetically Modified Food On Your Plate.” By Ada Kulesza. Lawyers.com. 5/16/12.
“Fighting for Family Farms and a Better Food Supply.” Triple Pundit: People, Planet, Profit. 5/14/12.
“An Organic Advocate for the Family Farm.” By Julia Miller.Sustainable Stories. 5/3/12.
“A Controversy Exists: Family Farmers Continue to Take on Monsanto.” By Margaret Riche. EcoCentric. 4/25/12.
“Seeds of Discontent.” By Julia Savacool. Gourmet. 4/25/12.
“VT House Agriculture Committee Passes H.722, The Mandatory GMO Labeling Bill But it Ain’t Over Yet!” By June Stoyer. The Organic View. 4/20/12.
“Appeal Filed in Case Against Monsanto.” By Deniza Gertsberg. GMO Journal. 04.04.12.
“Organic Farmers Succeed Despite Federal Court Defeat.” By Deniza Gertsberg. GMO Journal. 2/28/12.
“Occupy Our Food Supply.” By Dr. Vandana Shiva−of Plaintiff Navdanya. Food Freedom. 2/27/12.
“Monsanto Wins Lawsuit While Food Justice Advocates ‘Occupy’ Our Food System.” Common Dreams. 2/27/12.
