navigating the patent maze

The infamous Nap Hal patent has been revoked.  Despite Greenpeace’s claim of victory (see their October 2004 press release), Greenpeace had very little, if anything, to do with the patent revocation.  In fact, Monsanto had sold their entire European wheat and barley business, including the rights to Nap Hal,  to the French seed company RAGT Genetique in May 2004.  Moreover, RAGT Genetique voluntarily withdrew the patent, citing commercial reasons, i.e., they weren’t going to make any money on the seed so why fight the patent. 

Read an excellent article about the Nap Hal patent and Greenpeace’s boasting de-bunked at reason online.  See also my earlier posts here and here.