On August 6, 2012 we posted a blog detailing a lawsuit between Monsanto and DuPont, who were fighting it out in court over the rights to genetically modified (GM) Roundup Ready Technology. Monsanto had sued DuPont for an alleged infringement of their patented technology and DuPont brought an anti-trust lawsuit against Monsanto alleging a monopoly.
As an update, Monsanto and DuPont have now settled their litigation matters against each other. The settlement provides that DuPont has agreed to pay Monsanto a 1.75 billion dollar royalty over a ten year period of time. In addition, DuPont has suprisingly agreed to drop its anti-trust lawsuit against Monsanto. In that Monsanto controls approximately 80% of the US corn and 90% of the US soy beans, it appears that DuPont had an excellent chance of winning their ant-trust suit had they continued to pursue it.
Now that Monsanto and DuPont have resolved their differences, they present a stronger and more united front in their fight against GMO label laws in the US. As a result, it is now more important than ever for consumers to stand up for the right to know what is in the food they buy. Consumers are faced with a veritable "David and Goliath" like battle. In this case, consumer success lies not in a sling shot but the passage of a full disclosure food label law. Once that law is passed, the Monsanto giant will fall.
Long Island Lawyer
Paul A. Lauto, Esq.