seed pirate
n. A farmer who replants a seed taken from a patented crop.
Examples
1999
In 1996, when Monsanto hired five full-time inspectors to hunt down seed pirates, farmers and seed distributors lined up to turn in their competitors and former customers.
—Jennifer Kahn, “The Green Machine; Monsanto Co's transgenic products tightens their control of seed market,” Harper's Magazine, April 01, 1999
1998
Farmers who do use its patented products find themselves labeled "seed pirates" if they replant them.
—Don Fitz, “Monsanto should halt genetic engineering,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Missouri), December 29, 1998
1998 (earliest)
Monsanto has been the most aggressive in thwarting seed pirates. The company prefers not to prosecute, and tries to negotiate cash settlements and legal fees that can run upwards of $500 an acre.
—Kelly O'Brien-Wray, “Companies Head Off Biotech-Seed Pirates,” Soybean Digest, August 01, 1998