> Another small company, Baker Creek’s “Purple Galaxy” tomatoes, has been suspected of re-selling Norfolk's purple tomato seeds and recently stopped selling them due to 'low stock' (suspected cease-and-desist)
I'm familiar with this, but it sounds like you might know more details. Do you really mean "re-selling"? I'd presumed that the accusation was that they were planning to sell a cross-bred plant that involved genes from the patented variety, but my search attempts on the tomato forums weren't very successful. Is there a better "inside scoop" story out there to be found or is it all guesswork at this point?
Definitely all guesses and assumptions, I do not mean re-selling, just cross-bred (possibly accidentally) with a patented variety. My source is just comments from random gardeners in /r/gardening[0] and I don't have any insider info. Normally I would hesitate to play the telephone game on such topics, but given the controversy about Baker Creek otherwise I don't feel too bad about it in this case.
Thanks for the link, and sorry I forgot to check back quickly. Norfolk has since confirmed in a polite manner that the Baker Creek seeds included their patented GMO genes:
Is NHP's Purple Tomato related to the "Purple Galaxy"?
We have received many questions about the purple tomato marketed by Baker Creek as “Purple Galaxy” in their 2024 catalogs. We understand from Baker Creek that they will not be selling seeds of this variety. Given its remarkable similarity to our purple tomato, we prompted Baker Creek to investigate their claim that Purple Galaxy was non-GMO. We are told that laboratory testing determined that it is, in fact, bioengineered (GMO). This result supports the fact that the only reported way to produce a purple-fleshed tomato rich in anthocyanin antioxidants is with Norfolk’s patented technology. We appreciate that Baker Creek tested their material, and after discovering it was a GMO, removed it from their website.
Also, someone in your linked thread also confirms 1) they are not F1, 2) will breed true, and 3) personal and community seed saving is allowed. I already got my packet in the mail---now just need to wait for all the snow to melt!
I'm familiar with this, but it sounds like you might know more details. Do you really mean "re-selling"? I'd presumed that the accusation was that they were planning to sell a cross-bred plant that involved genes from the patented variety, but my search attempts on the tomato forums weren't very successful. Is there a better "inside scoop" story out there to be found or is it all guesswork at this point?