The Supreme Court on January 8 ruled that United States seed maker Monsanto can claim patents of its genetically modified (GM) cotton seeds in India, the world's biggest producer of the fibre. The decision on an appeal overturns an earlier ruling by the Delhi High Court that Monsanto — which has been bought by German drug and crop chemical maker Bayer AG — was unable to claim patents of GM cotton seeds. Royalty payment disputeThe Delhi High Court ruling came after local company Nuziveedu Seeds Ltd (NSL) argued that India's Patent Act does not allow Monsanto any patent cover for its GM cotton seeds. The Supreme Court on January 8 also said the Delhi High Court would examine Monsanto's claims that NSL infringed its intellectual property on Bt cotton seeds. Monsanto's GM cotton seed technology dominates 90% of India's cotton acreage.

Source: The Hindu January 08, 2019 11:03 UTC