US Congress eyes barring seed utility patents amid industry consolidation
By Nick Robertson ( August 4, 2026, 16:04 GMT | Comment) -- Democrats in the US Congress have proposed ending utility patent protection for most future seed innovations, limiting protection instead to the Plant Variety Protection Act and Plant Patent Act. Supporters argue utility patents enable dominant agrochemical companies to impose restrictive licensing terms that harm farmers and contribute to higher food prices.Legislation introduced in the US House and Senate last month would largely eliminate utility patent protection for plants, plant varieties and germplasm, including seeds, amid concerns about large agrochemical companies’ control of the market — upending four decades of US patent practice....
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