Brief: DuPont Sues Monsanto Over Royalties for Soybean Technology

DuPont has filed a lawsuit against Monsanto for unpaid royalties for the use of a gene gun technology called Biolistic. The technology, which is used to develop herbicide-resistant soybeans, was part of a 1992 commercial agreement between the two companies and a 2012 court ruling, whereby Monsanto was ordered to pay DuPont royalties through that year. DuPont claims that Monsanto made $33.3 million in payments shortly after the 2012 agreement but has failed to make payments for use of the technology on South American crops. Monsanto spokesperson, Sarah Miller, tells News Journal, "We are surprised and puzzled that DuPont would chose to sue over the arbitration case, which involves royalties of less than $7 million and over a dispute that has been silent for two years." DuPont had no comment.