Farmer, marketer at odds over sales of white nectarines

Key Points:

• Cesar Mora, a third-generation farmer in California's Central Valley, is giving away over 100,000 pounds of white nectarines for free amid a legal battle with Giumarra Brothers Fruit Co., which claims exclusive rights to the "Monalise" nectarine variety he grows.
• The dispute centers on contracts Mora signed with Giumarra, including sublicensing and marketing agreements, with the company alleging Mora breached the contract by selling fruit to other packers, while Mora accuses Giumarra of unfair business practices and contract violations.
• Fruit patents and exclusive rights for new varieties are increasingly common in agriculture, with companies and breeders seeking royalties, but such legal battles can leave farmers financially strained and discouraged, as seen in Mora's loss of a quarter of his income.
• Fresno County Superior Court ruled that Giumarra’s breach of contract claim can proceed regardless of whether the Monalise variety is patented, emphasizing the validity of the agreements between the parties.
• Despite the ongoing litigation, Mora has found solace in sharing his fruit with the public, who have shown strong support by helping distribute the nectarines and raising funds for his cause.