Canada's tree fruit breeding program has secured a significant legal victory in a long-running intellectual property dispute involving the popular Staccato® cherry variety.
Summerland Varieties Corp. announced that it and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada have reached a settlement with Washington State-based Monson Fruit Company in a U.S. federal court case concerning Staccato® cherry trees and cherries marketed and sold as "Glory" or "Omega."
The agreement concludes more than six years of litigation that centered on allegations that the "Glory" variety was in fact Staccato®, a late-season cherry developed through Canada's tree fruit breeding program.
Monson agreed to pay substantial royalties related to past and future Staccato® tree sales. The proceeds will be reinvested into AAFC's tree fruit development program.