Replanting patented seeds
Vernon Hugh Bowman v. Monsanto
In brief
The Supreme Court agreed with the lower court: Bowman’s purchase did not give him permission to grow and reuse more of Monsanto’s patented seeds.
- Where it stands
- Decided
Decided 9-0 · May 13, 2013 · Opinion by Justice Kagan
- What it’s about
- The dispute was whether Vernon Hugh Bowman could plant Monsanto’s patented seeds and reuse seeds harvested from the crop after an authorized purchase.
- Who it affects
- Bowman could not rely on his authorized purchase as permission to reproduce Monsanto's patented seeds.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
The Supreme Court agreed with the Federal Circuit that the purchase did not permit Bowman to reproduce patented seeds through planting and harvesting without Monsanto’s permission.
Bowman sought to plant Monsanto's patented seeds and reuse seeds harvested from the crop after an authorized purchase.
The case concerned patented seeds that can produce more seeds when planted and harvested.
Question presented
Does a patent right for self-replicating technology expire after an authorized sale?
What the Court decided
Holding
Patent exhaustion does not permit a farmer to reproduce patented seeds through planting and harvesting without the patent holder’s permission. 657 F. 3d 1341, affirmed.
- Result
- Affirmed
The Court's reasoning
The Court said an authorized sale did not give Bowman permission to reproduce additional patented seeds by planting and harvesting them.
The vote
What's next
The Federal Circuit's ruling remains in place; the Supreme Court did not send the case back for more proceedings.
Documents
Opinions
Audio
Docket activity
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Impact Analysis
AI analysis generated: Opinion Summary
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AI analysis generated: Decision Record
Case data updated: summary, question_presented, generation_metadata
Case data updated: question_presented, extraction_metadata
Audio Recording added: Oral Arguments - Bowman
Opinion added: Bowman
Sources
Primary materials plus reporting. Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.