Patent law: a potential barrier to seed innovation
In the United States, a legal battle between two seed companies, Corteva and Inari, has highlighted a contradiction in the patent system. Whilst intended to encourage innovation in exchange for the disclosure of inventions, patents can also complicate access to the biological material needed for research and the creation of new varieties. In May 2026, the US Department of Justice intervened to highlight the competition and innovation issues linked to access to patented seeds. However, the dispute will not proceed to trial, as the companies signed an out-of-court settlement on 27 September 2026, the main terms of which remain confidential. A missed opportunity to obtain judicial clarification on the use of patented biological material by a third party.
Syngenta drops its appeal against the Faucheurs Volontaires
Crispr/Cas9 : from patent disputes to the widespread use of GMOs
A dispute over patent rights to Crispr/Cas9 has been ongoing for several years between its main discoverers, universities and research institutes. To date, the outcome of this dispute and its impact on the Crispr/Cas9 economy remain unpredictable. Added to this is an ongoing dispute over Crispr applications between the parties to the main dispute and companies. Despite this, the widespread use of this tool for modifying living organisms, and the associated health, environmental and socio-economic consequences, seem inevitable.
GMOs: will the CJEU uphold its 2018 ruling?
