Nectarine Rights Battle: California Grower Fights Packager Over Monalise Variety
California grower Cesar Mora and Giumarra Brothers Fruit Co. are in a court battle over who can sell Mora’s white nectarine variety Monalise. Mora had sublicensing and marketing agreements with Giumarra dating back to 2017–2019, which he says promised exclusivity and strong sales revenue, but he claims Giumarra breached the contract and sold nectarines to other buyers, costing him income. Giumarra counters that the sublicensing and licensing terms govern sales regardless of patent status. A Fresno County judge recently allowed Mora’s breach-of-contract claim to proceed, and Mora has been unable to sell his nectarines during the litigation, prompting a community free giveaway that drew large crowds and notable GoFundMe support as the case heads to trial later this month.
