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Sydney A. Diamond v. Ananda M. Chakrabarty et al.

Country/Territory
United States of America
Type of court
National - higher court
Date
Jun 16, 1980
Source
UNEP, InforMEA
Court name
Supreme Court of the United States
Seat of court
Washington D. C.
Judge
Blackmun; Burger; Brennan; White; Marshall; Powell; Rehnquist; Stevens; Stewart
Reference number
447 U.S. 303 (1980)
Language
English
Subject
Legal questions
Abstract

This case dealt with whether genetically modified organisms can be patented. Ananda Chakrabarty, the plaintiff, developed a bacterium capable of breaking down crude oil and potentially being useful in treating oil spills. He applied for a patent which was rejected by the Patent Office based on the argument that microorganisms are not patentable as they are products of nature. In review of this case, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the plaintiff. It decided that a man-made microorganism is non-naturally occurring and may therefore be patented.

Full text
Diamond_v_Chakrabarty.pdf
Website
www.law.berkeley.edu