Monsanto Suing Farmers Over Piracy Issues

AP via Yahoo! ^ | Jan 13, 2005 | PAUL ELIAS

[Brilliant]

I guess it's up to Monsanto, but I personally don't think it's a good policy to sue your customers.

[Salamander]

They'll make a B-movie out of this;

"The Rice Pirates".

[DTogo]

I'm with the small farmers on this one. Once the seed is sold, too bad for Monsanto. IMHO.

[ChefKeith]

This is ALL about controlling the food supply.

PING for you rights/farms list or whatever it's called (sorry I can't remember)

[ChefKeith]

FYI

[Larry Lucido]

Seems like the simple solution would be for farmers not to use Monsanto seed - just use the seeds they always used. Problem solved.

What's that? Monsanto seed is better? Well, I'm sure with a couple test tubes and some experimental plots, they can develop their own hybrids in a year or two. Again, problem solved.

[relictele]

MPAA and RIAA have filed "friend of the court" briefs on the side of Monsanto.

[Larry Lucido]

"This is ALL about controlling the food supply."

I was playing devil's advocate in my #6, since I've never developed a hybrid in my life and own no stock in Monsanto, Pioneer or any other such company.

But I'm just curious, how is this "controlling the food supply"? Did the other seed suppliers all go out of business?

[CBart95]

But really ! It is comforting to see all these friends of the "little farmer" (Or should I say the little thieving criminal violator of a solemn business contract?) as they blithely speak up for the "little man".
Maybe they will visit him in prison.

[!1776!]

Seems like the simple solution would be for farmers not to use Monsanto seed - just use the seeds they always used. Problem solved.

New problem(s) created. The "EVIL" company expended significant resources to create a seed that performs in a certain way, such as doesn't die when a very effective herbicide is applied, or produces a higher yield, or is more resistant to drought or pests, or has better emergence in soil type X, or is stronger, or whatever. The "old" seeds don't.

Monsanto, it appears, is not holding a gun to anyone's head forcing them to plant their seeds. Farmers do it because it increases their profits in terms of increased yield or decreased costs for herbicides or labor.

What's that? Monsanto seed is better? Well, I'm sure with a couple test tubes and some experimental plots, they can develop their own hybrids in a year or two. Again, problem solved.

You can't honestly think that hundreds of millions of dollars of high end genetic work on seed traits can actually be replaced by a "couple test tubes and some experimental plots" do you?

I'm not trying to be a jerk on this, but these farmers paid a premium for seed that behaved a specific way so they could make more money. That came with a trade off up front that required specific actions on the farmers part. If they don't like it they don't have to use it. But other farmers depend on the scientific advances that they are honestly funding when they purchase the seed. The cheaters are freeloaders.

[Iowa Granny]

This story was posted yesterday here: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1320643/posts

Everyone might benefit from reading the responses on that thread.

There appears to be a bit of misunderstanding on the current thread. Farmers who purchase patented seed must sign a contract pledging not to save seed for later planting.

McFarling broke his contract. Plain and simple.

[pointsal]

With 5000 acres.....this bubba ain't SMALL!

[Larry Lucido]

You can't honestly think that hundreds of millions of dollars of high end genetic work on seed traits can actually be replaced by a "couple test tubes and some experimental plots" do you?

Sure, that's how I developed my 90 mpg carberator attachment a few years back. (Sigh).

I WAS BEING SARCASTIC!

[!1776!]

Sure, that's how I developed my 90 mpg carberator attachment a few years back. (Sigh).

I WAS BEING SARCASTIC!

I apologize if I was overly agressive.

Two questions for you - can I get one of those carberator attachments? And do you have one for fuel injected engines?

Take care.

[ConservativeLawyer]

I wonder if the farmers are sharing the pirated seed on a website--they could call it Cropster.

[labette]

In the near future, this may be a moot point. I have heard of the development of hybrids which will not reproduce. The customer must purchase next years' seed anyway.

[ChefKeith]

I can't find it now but I remember seeing an article saying that Monsanto and the other "big" seed companies are tricking the smaller ones into losing the patents on products.

I'm on dial-up and don't have the patience to sift through all this so here Ya go.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/547691/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/185631/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/742883/posts

[Larry Lucido]

"can I get one of those carberator attachments?"

No, the auto companies broke into my garage and stole the plans, just like the pharmaceutical companies did with my cancer cure. I just can't get a break!

[Larry Lucido]

Thanks, Chef.

[Larry Lucido]

"they could call it Cropster."

Or, Korn-zaa. Problem is, when you download, it also downloads spy-weed programs. I've got kudzu growing out of my monitor. Trying to download a free version of Weed-B-Gone now.