Monsanto Company (genetic food seeds) loses soybeen monopoly in EU.

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The European Patent Office today put the brakes on Monsanto's over-the-top corporate greed by revoking its species-wide patent on all genetically modified soybeans - a patend unprecedented in its broad scope. ETC group won its 13-year legal challenge against Monsanto's patent when an EPO appeal board ruled that the patent was not new or sufficient (meaning the patent could not be used to create genetically modified anything). The patent was vigorously and formally opposed by Monsanto itself until the company purchased the original patent in 1996. The technology related to the patent has been used, along with other patents, to corner 90% of the world's GM soybean market. "It was particularly satisfying," said Shand of the ETC Group, "that Monsanto's own blistering 1994 arguments against the patent were ultimately key in defeating it." One of mOnsanto's top scientists testified in 1994 that the genetic engineering process described in the patent was insufficient to allow a skilled scientist to replicate the procedure - a neccessary criterion for patentability. See "www.organicconsumers.org/monlink.cfm" for more information on how this wonderfully caring company takes advantages of small farmers.