Karnataka State Biodiversity Board, the regulatory body to implement the Biological Diversity Act, decided to drop the earlier planned legal action against US-based seed companies involved in bio-piracy. The Indian Biodiversity Authority had assured in August last year that it would initiate legal action against the US-based seed companies Monsanto and Mahyco for developing a genetically modified eggplant. The decision was taken in the 19th meeting of the board held last month.