DEKALB Genetics Corp., a seed company and member of Monsanto Company's Global Seed Group, has appealed an injunction decision made February 8 by a federal court judge in North Carolina that, if upheld, would prevent some sales of one version of DEKALB brand Roundup Ready corn. The judge's decision follows a two-year commercial legal dispute between the French-based conglomerate Rhone Poulenc Agrochemie, now Aventis CropScience, and DEKALB Genetics Corp. of Dekalb, Illinois.

Under the court's ruling DEKALB has the right to sell limited quantities of Roundup Ready corn for the year 2000 growing season.

The federal court judge in North Carolina determined that Monsanto is a bona fide licensee of the Aventis technology in question. As such, Monsanto, through its corn seed licensees -- including Asgrow -- is not affected by this ruling and will continue offering current and improved versions of Roundup Ready corn to growers and the two hundred regional seed companies who serve them.

Monsanto and DEKALB plan to introduce, as early as 2001, a new version of Roundup Ready corn based on Monsanto's proprietary technology. Aventis is not licensed to make, use or sell any version of Roundup Ready corn. 

Company news release
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