Growers Can Sue Government Over Grape Patents

The U.S. government isn't immune from three grape growers' claims that a California trade group licensed invalid patents from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled on Aug. 24 that the Administrative Procedure Act enables the plaintiffs "to pursue equitable relief against the USDA on its patent law claims." The unanimous three-judge panel said that the department could be joined as a party...