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