The data is reproduced from the St. Louis Business Journal. Monsanto Co. has sued DuPont to prevent what it calls “unlawful use” of Monsanto’s herbicide-tolerant technologies in soybeans and corn.
DuPont subsidiary, Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc., recently admitted that its technology “presents unacceptable risks to farmers,” Monsanto said.
In an effort to repair these deficiencies, Pioneer is “misusing” Monsanto’s Roundup Ready trait “to mask problems” with Pioneer’s technology, Monsanto said.
“As the saying goes, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” said Monsanto Chief Executive Officer Hugh Grant in a statement. “However, unlawfully taking technology is neither imitation nor flattery; it is unethical and wrong. A true technology company respects patents and its contractual agreements and delivers new products through its own innovation and honest collaboration. DuPont has failed on all counts.”
DuPont says Monsanto engages in “anti-competitive” conduct.
James Borel, DuPont group vice president, said the suit “incorrectly” claims that DuPont may not combine, or stack, its technology with any soybeans already containing Monsanto’s Roundup Ready trait.
In 2008, the U.S. Department of Justice required that Monsanto abandon similar “stacking” restrictions it imposed on its licensees producing Roundup Ready cottonseed as a condition to its acquisition of cotton seed company Delta & Pine Land, according to Borel.
“Monsanto has a long history of using litigation and aggressive tactics to preserve their monopoly and attempt to intimidate customers, seed partners and competitors,” he said in a statement.
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