AP) — A federal judge has denied a motion for a new trial from a north Mississippi company sued by Monsanto Co. for saving seeds from one harvest and planting them the following season.

U.S. District Judge Michael Mills ruled that Mitchell and Eddie Scruggs owe Monsanto Co. $6.3 million damages as a jury found in 2010. Prejudgment interest dating back to 2000 has increased the amount to $8.9 million.

In 2006, as court found Mitchell Scruggs, Eddie Scruggs and their business in Lee County violated Monsanto’s licensing requirements and its patent for use of the company’s seeds.

Monsanto has a policy that prohibits farmers from saving or reusing the seeds once the crop is grown.

Farmers contend there is no patent on the seeds, which are products of nature.