In 1997, the company that got patent rights on Basmati Rice.

Options

A. US Patent and Trademark Office
B. Genetic engineering approval committee
C. Eli Lily company
D. none of these

Answer

To answer the question regarding which company obtained patent rights on Basmati rice in 1997, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Patent Rights**:
- Patent rights are legal rights granted to inventors or companies that provide them exclusive rights to their inventions or discoveries. This means that no one else can use, make, or sell the patented invention without permission.

2. **Identifying the Context**:
- In 1997, a company was granted patent rights specifically for Basmati rice. This rice is known for its unique aroma and long grains, making it highly valued in culinary uses.

3. **Researching the Company**:
- The company that was granted the patent rights for Basmati rice in 1997 is **RiceTec, Inc.** This company, based in the United States, sought to patent certain varieties of Basmati rice, which led to significant controversy and discussions regarding intellectual property rights in agriculture.

4. **Understanding the Implications**:
- The patenting of Basmati rice raised concerns among Indian farmers and the Indian government, as Basmati rice is a traditional crop of India and Pakistan. The patenting led to debates about biopiracy and the rights of indigenous communities over their traditional crops.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the answer to the question is that **RiceTec, Inc.** was the company that obtained patent rights on Basmati rice in 1997.