Law School Case Briefs
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J. E. M. Ag Supply, Inc. v. Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
Supreme Court of the United States (2001) | 151 L. Ed. 2d 508; 122 S. Ct. 593; 534 U.S. 124; 2001 U.S. LEXIS 10949; 15 Fla. L. Weekly Fed. S 29; 70 U.S.L.W. 4032; 2001 Daily Journal DAR 12749; 2001 Cal. Daily Op. Serv. 10239; 60 U.S.P.Q. 2d (BNA) 1865
TL;DR: The Supreme Court held that sexually reproduced plants are patentable subject matter under the general utility patent statute, and that the more specific Plant Patent Act and Plant Variety Protection Act do not provide the exclusive means of protection.
Legal Significance: This case affirmed that living organisms, specifically plants, are eligible for utility patent protection, solidifying the broad interpretation of patentable subject matter from *Diamond v. Chakrabarty* and sanctioning overlapping intellectual property protection schemes.