Ottawa, Canada, Feb 5, 2004 / 22:00 pm
It’s now up to the Supreme Court of Canada to decide whether a Saskatchewan farmer violated the patent rights of biotechnology giant Monsanto, after the company’s genetically modified canola seed was found growing there.
Percy Schmeiser, 73, described the five-year legal battle as a classic David and Goliath struggle. The Supreme Court heard the case Jan. 20 but has reserved a decision.
Past court rulings have held Schmeiser liable for more than $170,000 CAD in legal damages and costs.
In 2001, the Federal Court of Appeal found that Schmeiser had infringed on the Monsanto’s patent rights when its genetically engineered canola was found on his farm in 1998.