By Ana Mano
SAO PAULO (Reuters) - A Brazilian judge has ordered local units of Monsanto Co to deposit in an escrow account royalties related to the Intacta RR2 Pro genetically modified soy seed technology, according to a copy of the decision seen by Reuters.
The ruling, dated July 3, relates to a patent dispute between Brazilian soy growers in the state of Mato Grosso and the U.S. seeds company, which was acquired by Bayer AG in a 63 billion euro deal.
The decision, regarding royalties those growers would normally pay to Monsanto, is effective immediately, a lawyer for the plaintiffs said in a brief telephone interview.
Monsanto did not have an immediate comment. Bayer declined to comment, saying it is not allowed to discuss Monsanto affairs before their integration.
The decision is related only to Intacta RR2 Pro, which is protected by patent PI0016460-7, court documents showed.
Soybean growers in Mato Grosso state, Brazil's largest soy and corn producer, have asked a federal court to cancel Monsanto's Intacta RR2 Pro patent last November.
In the suit, they claimed irregularities related to the patent, including the company's alleged failure to prove it brings de facto technological innovation.
In January, Brazil's patent office said Intacta RR2 Pro patent for genetically modified soy seed technology should be declared void after reexamining the issue.
Intacta's patent protection extends through October 2022.
(Reporting by Ana Mano in São Paulo and Tom Käckenhoff in Dusseldorf; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
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