Great Plains Manufacturing Inc., of Salina, Kansas, is accused of infringing Deere's patent 7,472,660, which is for a seed tube for an agricultural seeding machine.

The Great Plains Clear-Shot Seed Tube infringes the patent, Deere says in the complaint filed May 12 in federal court in Davenport, Iowa.

Moline-based Deere asked the court for a declaration that its patent is valid, enforceable, and infringed by Great Plains. Additionally, it seeks an order barring further infringement, an award of money damages, and attorney fees and litigation costs. Deere requested that the damages be tripled to punish Great Plains for its alleged infringement.

Deere is represented by Richard J. Sapp of Nyemaster, Goode, West, Hansell & O'Brien PC of Des Moines, Iowa, and Karl R. Fink of Chicago's Fitch, Even, Tabin & Flannery.

The case is Deere & Co. v. Great Plains Manufacturing Inc., 3:10-cv-00059-JEG, RAW, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Iowa (Davenport).