Legis Daily

ETHIC Act

USA119th CongressHR-3269| House 
| Updated: 5/8/2025
Jodey C. Arrington

Jodey C. Arrington

Republican Representative

Texas

Cosponsors (6)
Debbie Dingell (Democratic)Darrell Issa (Republican)Pramila Jayapal (Democratic)August Pfluger (Republican)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)Lloyd Doggett (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Eliminating Thickets to Increase Competition Act," or ETHIC Act, proposes to address the issue of patent thickets, particularly within the pharmaceutical and biological product sectors. This legislation seeks to amend existing patent law by imposing a significant restriction on infringement actions. It mandates that a patent holder may assert not more than one patent per Patent Group when suing a generic drug or biosimilar manufacturer. This limitation applies to parties involved in the application for or commercialization of drugs approved via specific FDA pathways (505(b)(2) or (j)) or biological products licensed under section 351(k). A Patent Group is defined as commonly owned patents or applications linked by disclaimers under section 253. Furthermore, once a patent from a group is asserted, no additional actions can be brought asserting another patent from the same group against that party, with these provisions applying to applications submitted after the bill's enactment.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-8205
ETHIC Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-976
ETHIC Act
May 8, 2025
Introduced in House
May 8, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jul 15, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-2276
Introduced in Senate
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-8205
    ETHIC Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-976
    ETHIC Act


  • May 8, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • May 8, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.


  • July 15, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-2276
    Introduced in Senate

Commerce

Related Bills

  • S 119-2276: ETHIC Act

ETHIC Act

USA119th CongressHR-3269| House 
| Updated: 5/8/2025
The "Eliminating Thickets to Increase Competition Act," or ETHIC Act, proposes to address the issue of patent thickets, particularly within the pharmaceutical and biological product sectors. This legislation seeks to amend existing patent law by imposing a significant restriction on infringement actions. It mandates that a patent holder may assert not more than one patent per Patent Group when suing a generic drug or biosimilar manufacturer. This limitation applies to parties involved in the application for or commercialization of drugs approved via specific FDA pathways (505(b)(2) or (j)) or biological products licensed under section 351(k). A Patent Group is defined as commonly owned patents or applications linked by disclaimers under section 253. Furthermore, once a patent from a group is asserted, no additional actions can be brought asserting another patent from the same group against that party, with these provisions applying to applications submitted after the bill's enactment.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-8205
ETHIC Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-976
ETHIC Act
May 8, 2025
Introduced in House
May 8, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jul 15, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-2276
Introduced in Senate
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-8205
    ETHIC Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-976
    ETHIC Act


  • May 8, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • May 8, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.


  • July 15, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-2276
    Introduced in Senate
Jodey C. Arrington

Jodey C. Arrington

Republican Representative

Texas

Cosponsors (6)
Debbie Dingell (Democratic)Darrell Issa (Republican)Pramila Jayapal (Democratic)August Pfluger (Republican)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)Lloyd Doggett (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

Commerce

Related Bills

  • S 119-2276: ETHIC Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted