Des Moines Register
09-04-07
ISU, Monsanto settle patent suit
By ABBY SIMONS
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
The Iowa State University Research Foundation has settled its federal patent
infringment lawsuit against Monsanto Company, with the two parties agreeing to
collaborate in the development of soybeans containing low levels of trans fat.
Under the agreement announced today, Monsanto will receive a commercial
license from ISURF for current and future low-linolenic acid soybeans developed
by Iowa State University. In return, the University will receive a research license
for the use of Roundup RReady2Yield soybeans. Additional terms of the
agreement were not disclosed by Monsanto or Iowa State.
The settlement follows the lawsuit, filed in May by ISURF that alleged that St.
Louis, Mo.-based Monsanto began selling its Vistive soybeans, which are now
used to make a low-fat cooking oil, “without any license or authority from (the
foundation) and now licenses Iowa State’s technology to others.”
According to the lawsuit, Iowa State professors Walter Fehr and Earl
Hammond have been awarded several U.S. patents relating to soybeans with
low linolenic acid content. Soybeans with low linolenic acid content result in more
stable oil that does not require hydrogenation.
By eliminating hydrogenation, the oil has no trans fat.
According to court documents, Iowa State professors began developing the low
linolenic acid soybeans and their producing methods as early as 1968. Monsanto
introduced its Vistive soybeans in 2005.
In a prepared statement, Robb Fraley, Monsanto’s chief technology officer, said
the agreement will ensure that farmers will be able to benefit from both
technologies delivered together.
“We have had a long, productive relationship with Iowa State university and we
look forward to working with them to provide ways for farmers to increase
profitability and productivity and for consumers to get benefits from improved
soybean oils.”
Reporter Abby Simons can be reached at (515) 284-8136 or
asimons@dmreg.com