In an unprecedented judgement, a Canadian federal court has directed a farmer to pay US $85,000 to the biotech giant Monsanto for violating the company's patent over genetically modified (GM) canola seed. According to a Canadian patent law, it is illegal to reuse Monsanto's GM seed without signing a licensing agreement. This case has put forth a new precedent: the farmers may be asked to pay compensation to the biotech companies even if they have not bought the modified seeds. According to evidences presented in the court, neither did Percy Schmeiser, the farmer, purchase the Monsanto seeds nor did he obtain them illegally. He was a victim of genetic pollution -- the pollen can easily drift from one farm to another through air.
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