Seems interesting for us – will have a closer look on it.

 

François

 

Von: Npos_2018 <npos_2018-bounces@testbiotech.de> Im Auftrag von Christoph Then
Gesendet: Sonntag, 14. Juni 2020 11:54
An: npos_2018@testbiotech.de
Betreff: [Npos_2018] Fwd: Syngenta tomato patent breach in Sicily

 

it does not seem to be so relevant for us as expected ... any thoughts on that?



-------- Weitergeleitete Nachricht --------

Betreff:

Re: Syngenta tomato patent breach in Sicily

Datum:

Sun, 14 Jun 2020 11:50:03 +0200

Von:

Matteo Petitti <matteo.petitti@semirurali.net>

An:

Christoph Then <info@no-patents-on-seeds.org>

Kopie (CC):

johanna.eckhardt@no-patents-on-seeds.org

 

Dear Christoph,

 

As far as I could ascertain, Pakyta, the Syngenta tomato variety in question is not covered by EPO patent but simply Plant Breeders' Rights (see attached CPVO database extract). Perhaps there is another database of all EPO patented varieties  that you could point out to me?

 

Although this would make the case less relevant to No Patents on Seeds!, it is still interesting (and worrying) to see the determination of Syngenta and ABM in trying to crack down on those who found a way to break free from the F1 Hybrid intellectual/industrial protection system.

 

Kind regards,

 

Matteo

 

On Thu, 11 Jun 2020 at 16:25, Matteo Petitti <matteo.petitti@semirurali.net> wrote:

Dear Christoph,

 

The case is quite interesting, as the farmer was only growing the plants, which he had bought from a nursery. The nursery was propagating the F1 patented plants via "stup" i.e. vegetative propagation, the only way to reproduce identical hybrid plants.

The case was initiated by Syngenta and AIB (Anti-Infringement Bureau for Intellectual Property Rights on Plant Material) who were looking for a scaping goat in an area where these practices are widely spread. This sentence should set an example to warn others from doing the same.

This article, in Italian, is very informative and is published by an organisation actively campaigning for farmers rights in Italy, especially in the South and areas controlled by criminal organisations.
https://www.terrelibere.org/carcere-pomodori-guerra-semi-bruxelles-ragusa/

I have informed the organisation about your interest on the case. The journalist who researched this case seems very informed and has written a book on the unethical value chains behind super markets https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonello-mangano/

 

Best,

 

Matteo

 

On Thu, 11 Jun 2020 at 15:30, Christoph Then <info@no-patents-on-seeds.org> wrote:

Dear Matteo

 

thanks a lot! we are very very much interested!

 

we will try to study the case.

 

Cheers

 

Christoph

 

Am 11.06.20 um 14:56 schrieb Matteo Petitti:

Hello,

I just wanted to point out this news to you: a Sicilian farmer of Ragusa province was sentenced to one year prison and 15k € fine for planting patented Syngenta tomatoes without permission. I will try to find out more details.

Best regards,

Matteo Petitti

https://agricoltura.usb.it/leggi-notizia/nel-ragusano-la-prima-condanna-per-uso-non-autorizzato-di-sementi-brevettate-un-anno-sfruttamento-della-terra-e-dei-lavoratori-lagricoltura-vista-unicamente-come-profitto-1549-1.html

 


 

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