Driscoll’s loses US strawberry patent suit

A US federal court has granted summary judgement against Driscoll’s in a lawsuit against a rival strawberry breeder over claims that it infringed on the Watsonville berry company’s proprietary fruit varieties.

The ruling ends a years-long case brought by Driscoll’s against California Berry Cultivars (CBC) – on the grounds that plant crossbreeding that occurs outside the US is not actionable under the Plant Patent Act – before it could proceed to trial.

CBC president AG Kawamura said: “This ruling is a strong affirmation of the integrity of our breeding programme and our commitment to independent innovation in the strawberry industry. We are proud to continue offering high-performing, flavourful strawberry varieties to growers and consumers alike.”