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In 1998 researchers at Johns Hopkins University claimed to have found anti cancer properties in
broccoli sprouts. "They applied for and were granted a patent purporting
to give them exclusive rights to broccoli sprouts." The son of one of the researchers licensed the rights for the use of this patent and proceeded to license sprout companies to grow broccoli sprouts under their brand name and charge a royalty fee for every package of broccoli sprouts sold. This royalty fee in some cases was actually higher than the cost of producing the sprouts. They chose a few sprout companies to grow and market their sprouts and excluded others. Those not wanting to sign on to their program were threatened with a lawsuit. By giving territorial rights to their growers, they could have
controlled the broccoli sprout market, and in time could potentially have controlled the majority of the sprout market.
Sunrise Farms, Inc. has been producing different varieties of sprouts
for over twenty years and have endeavored to build consumer confidence
in our products. In October 2000 Brassicca BPP and Johns Hopkins
University sued Sunrise Farms, Inc. for growing broccoli sprouts. It has
been a costly battle for our company to fight this, but "we have
won in court all the way up to the United States Supreme Court, who
declined to hear the case, leaving intact our victory at the Court of
Appeals." For more information please see the court case listed on the internet as well as the International Sprout Growers Association web page. (http://www.ll.georgetown.edu/federal/judicial/fed/opinions/02opinions/02-1031.html) (http://www.isga-sprouts.org/news.htm)
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Alfalfa |
Bean
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Clover
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Other
Varieties |
