News Summary: High court rules for Monsanto

PATENT VIOLATION: The Supreme Court said Monday that an Indiana farmer violated Monsanto Co.'s patents on soybean seeds resistant to its weed-killer. The farmer had been growing the beans without buying new seeds from the corporation.

NARROW RULING: While Monsanto won this case, the court refused to make a sweeping decision that would cover other self-replicating technologies like DNA molecules and nanotechnologies, leaving that for another day. Businesses and researchers had been closely watching the case in hopes of getting guidance on patents.

ASSURANCES CITED: St. Louis-based Monsanto applauded the ruling, saying it would provide assurances to all inventors. More than 90 percent of U.S. soybean farms use Monsanto's seeds.