Key Patent case decided against Monsanto:A September 7, 2005 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit regarding a patent claim by two Monsanto scientists could have significant impacts on the company and the biotech industry in general. (See In re Dane K. Fisher and Raghunath V. Lalgudi, No. 04-1465). At issue is whether or not the company can patent identifiable ESTs or nucleotide sequences.(Knowing the chemical identity of the genetic tags is an important first step to allow researchers to monitor gene changes and other actions in the plant. ) But  Federal Circuit Chief Judge Paul R. Michel ruled tha" granting a patent ...for its five claimed ESTs would amount to a hunting license because the claimed ESTs can be used only to gain further information about the underlying genes." He pointed out that the government and amici expressed concern that allowing EST patents without proof of utility "would discourage research and delay scientific discovery." Monsanto says it is reviewing its options for appeal but has made no decision. See a related report by the National Law Journal.

Musick v. Monsanto: Monsanto is being sued in Texas for cotton crop failures.

Lawsuits related to the FDA's failure to regulate GE food have been filed by The Alliance for Bio-Integrity