More than 50 U.S. organic farmers and seed dealers have filed a pivotal lawsuit against the agribusiness giant Monsanto. The case centers around Monsanto’s practice of suing farmers it accuses of using the company’s genetically modified (”GMO”) seeds without permission. Monsanto has won damages from farmers whose fields were found to contain the company’s seeds. But the farmers have claimed their fields were contaminated with the Monsanto seed without their knowledge. Monsanto critics have suggested the company has encouraged the contamination of organic crops as part of an effort to eliminate competition and monopolize agricultural supply. The suit seeks to prevent Monsanto from suing for patent violations should its GMO seed wind up on the plaintiffs’ land.