They should make those kind of patents just like they do for drugs, they expire after so many years and then every one can use it or make something comparable.
They do, ironically the Patent for roundup ready beans expires in 2014. Roundup the herbicide has been out of patent for some time now, you can buy generic glyphosate the active ingredient in Roundup.
Monsanto has already stated that once the patent is off they will no longer pursue any legal action against the roundup ready technology.
Monsanto | Roundup Ready Soybean Patent Expiration
Makes all this seem kinda stupid.