Great Trials IV Lecture Series - The Trial of Percy Schmeiser

The Great Trials lecture series considers a collection of history-making trials across time and examines the social and political contexts in which they took place as well as their cultural consequences. The series takes the position that ‘law’ happens as much outside the courtroom as it does within it, and that each of these pivotal events stands as testament to the ways in which constructions of authority, law, and justice have informed cultural consciousness across centuries.

IPLAI is pleased to offer the lectures in this series for CLE credit through the Barreau du Québec.

In 2004 the Supreme Court of Canada found Saskatchewan farmer Percy Schmeiser liable for patent infringement for growing genetically modified canola that he said blew onto his farm. This ruling allowed the possibility that some life might be patentable and had huge implications for farmers across Canada. This lecture will consider how this trial has led to a grassroots farmer’s revolt, changed farming practices, upended patent law and affected the food we eat.

For details and to register: https://www.mcgill.ca/iplai/great-trials