S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
523
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
(PREFILED)
January 4, 2017
___________
Introduced by Sen. YOUNG -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Judiciary
AN ACT to amend the general obligations law, in relation to genetically
modified organisms
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The general obligations law is amended by adding a new
section 9-107 to read as follows:
§ 9-107. GENETICALLY ENGINEERED OR GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS;
AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE. ANY PARTY WHO IS SUED FOR DAMAGES FOR VIOLATION OF
A PATENT, TRADEMARK, OR OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS ON THE GROUND
THAT THE PARTY POSSESSED OR USED SEEDS OR PLANTS THAT CONTAINED GENET-
ICALLY ENGINEERED OR GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS WITHOUT ENTERING
INTO AN AGREEMENT OR PAYING FEES TO THE MANUFACTURER OR LICENSED
DISTRIBUTOR OF SUCH GENETICALLY ENGINEERED OR GENETICALLY MODIFIED
ORGANISMS SHALL HAVE AN AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AGAINST ANY LIABILITY IF THE
PARTY SHALL SHOW THAT HE OR SHE DID NOT KNOWINGLY AND INTENTIONALLY
INTRODUCE THE GENETICALLY ENGINEERED OR GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS
INTO HIS OR HER PLANTS OR SEEDS OR ONTO HIS OR HER PROPERTY AND HE OR
SHE DID NOT KNOWINGLY GAIN FROM THE DISTINCTIVE TRAITS DUE TO GENETIC
MODIFICATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03285-01-7