The ETHIC Act limits patent infringement actions to one patent per patent group against certain parties.
The ETHIC Act, or Eliminating Thickets to Increase Competition Act, aims to address patent thickets by limiting the number of patents that can be asserted in an infringement action against certain parties. Specifically, it restricts actions to one patent per patent group. A "patent group" includes two or more commonly owned patents or applications identified on disclaimers to avoid double patenting. The act applies to applications submitted for drug approval or biological product licensure after its enactment.
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- Overview
- Core Provisions
- Implementation
- Impact
- Legal Framework
- Critical Issues
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