Legal News - News and Opinion

New Consumer Lawsuit Over Not So Natural GMO Food

New Consumer Lawsuit Over Not So Natural GMO Food

All Natural chips made by Frito-Lay may not be so natural after all, says a new lawsuit alleging that the snack-maker is misleading consumers with its all natural claims when in fact the products are made from genetically modified ingredients.

Monsanto Wins Against Indiana Farmer Over Seed Saving

Monsanto’s stronghold over seed patents was reinforced recently when an appeals court affirmed a prior ruling against a farmer, this time for buying seeds as “commodity” seeds from a local grain elevator.

Attorney Discusses GMO Labeling Lawsuit Against ConAgra

Attorney Discusses GMO Labeling Lawsuit Against ConAgra

The recent lawsuit against ConAgra Foods challenges the “pure” and “100% natural” labeling on the popular line of Wesson cooking oils allegedly made with genetically modified corn and soybeans. Watch this discussion about the nature of the suit.

Farmers Respond To Monsanto’s Attempt To Dismiss Their Case

Farmers Respond To Monsanto's Attempt To Dismiss Their Case

Farmers and agricultural organizations demanded their right to be heard after Monsanto asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit challenging the company’s aggressive enforcement of genetically modified seed patents.

Monsanto Mistakenly Sues Farmers Over Seed Saving

Monsanto is forced to backtrack on a lawsuit alleging that two Erie area farmers saved patented seeds. We look at that and, also, the latest on Anonymous hacking attack against Monsanto

“100% Natural” GMO Ingredients Challenged In Lawsuits

“100% Natural” GMO Ingredients Challenged In Lawsuits

Two class action suits challenge the “pure” and “100% natural” labeling of ConAgra’s line of Wesson cooking oils. Can something genetically modified be also natural and pure?

More Organic Growers Join the Suit Against Monsanto

“Society stands on the precipice of forever being bound to transgenic agriculture and transgenic food” reads the first sentence in the amended complaint filed by farmers, environmentalist, researchers and consumer groups against Monsanto. New plaintiffs strengthen the resolve to stand up to Big M.

Organic Trade Groups and Farmers Sue Monsanto

Lawsuit by organic groups asks Federal court to invalidate Monsanto’s patents and to end Monsanto’s practice of suing farmers over GMO contamination.

Back in Court: USDA’s Deregulation of GE Alfalfa Challenged

Back in Court: USDA's Deregulation of GE Alfalfa Challenged

Conventional and organic farmers and environmental groups filed a lawsuit challenging the USDA’s decision to permit the unrestricted commercial release of genetically engineered alfalfa.

Appeals Court Overturns Sugar Beets Injunction For Monsanto

A California Appeals Court reversed a lower court’s ruling which would have required the destruction of genetically modified sugar beet seedlings planted in September 2010.

USDA OKs Partial Deregulation of GE Sugar Beets

On the heels of the decision to deregulate genetically engineered alfalfa, this Friday USDA announced that it will allow the planting of Monsanto’s “Roundup Ready” GE sugar beets even though the agency has yet to finalize conducting an Environmental Impact Statement.

Germany's GM Crop Restrictions Upheld In Court

German’s top court, ruled on November 24, 2010, that the two-year-old law restricting areas where genetically modified crops are grown protected the public from risks of technology.

Court Posed To Consider Remedy In GM Sugar Beets Case

Court Posed To Consider Remedy In GM Sugar Beets Case

Federal Court finds that Plaintiffs are likely to succeed on their claims that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services illegally permitted the planting of genetically engineered sugar beet.

NJ Blueberry Farmers Get to Proceed With Lawsuit Against Novartis

NJ Blueberry Farmers Get to Proceed With Their Lawsuit Against Novartis

The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals recently permitted New Jersey blueberry farmers to continue with their suit for negligent misrepresentation, fraud and products liablity against a pesticide manufacturer, Novartis Crop Protection, Inc.

Federal Judge Halts Planting of GM Sugar Beets For Now

Federal Judge Halts Planting of GM Sugar Beets For Now

In depth analysis of Judge White’s decision which rescinded USDA’s and APHIS’ decision to deregulate Roundup Ready sugar beets without conducting an Environmental Impact Statement.

A Mixed Decision From the U.S. Supreme Court on GE Alfalfa

A Mixed Decision From the U.S. Supreme Court on GE Alfalfa

The United States Supreme Court handed down its first ever decision concerning genetically modified crops and it is a mixed result for farmers, consumers and environmental groups.

GE Alfalfa At the Supreme Court: Analyzing Oral Arguments

GE Alfalfa At the Supreme Court: Analyzing Oral Arguments

We review and provide legal analysis of the oral argument in the Monsanto v Geertson matter heard recently by the Supreme Court.

U.S. Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Monsanto v. Geertson Seed Farms

U.S. Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Monsanto v. Geertson Seed Farms

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments in the case of Monsanto v. Geertson Seed Farms. At stake is a decision issued by California District Court which issued a permanent injunction against any further planting of genetically engineered alfalfa crop in 2007.

Ban On GE Sugar Beets Not Ruled Out, But Planting Goes Forward

Ban On GE Sugar Beets Not Ruled Out, But Planting Goes Forward

On March 16, 2010, a California District Judge denied plaintiffs’ request to halt the planting of GE sugar beets. The Court’s decision, however, left open the possibility of a ban, which is to be determined at the permanent injunction hearings in July.

District Court Reserves Judgment On GE Sugar Beets’ Injunction

District Court Reserves Judgment On GE Sugar Beets' Injunction

After nearly a two-hour hearing yesterday, the U.S. District Judge Jeffery White reserved judgment as to whether a preliminary injunction, that would prevent the production or planting of genetically modified sugar beet seeds, should issue. Both parties, however, expect a quick decision as farmers will soon be ready to plant their crop.

Plaintiffs Seek Injunction To Prevent Planting Of GM Sugar Beets

Plaintiffs Seek Injunction To Prevent Planting Of GM Sugar Beets

Organic farmers and environmental groups will seek this week an injunction to stop the planting of the GM beets until the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (“APHIS”) conducts an environmental impact statement (“EIS”). The lawsuit also seeks to bar the sale of sugar made from GM modified beets.

Court Says Approval Of Genetically Modified Beets Was Illegal

Court Says Approval Of Genetically Modified Beets Was Illegal

Judge Jeffrey White of the Northern District of California ruled on September 21, 2009, that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s deregulation of genetically engineered RoundUp Ready sugar beets in 2004 was unlawful.