Summary of article from Bloomberg Law, by Annelise Gilbert:
The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has proposed a rule that would create a repository for all settlement agreements related to patent challenges, potentially exposing pharmaceutical companies to antitrust scrutiny. The proposed rule would expand the requirements for companies to file detailed reports after reaching a settlement. The new requirement could assist the FTC and DOJ in determining if antitrust laws have been violated, and may also give non-agency third parties expanded access to the agreements. The proposal has raised concerns in the pharmaceutical industry about the disclosure of confidential agreements and potential antitrust investigations. The rule aligns with an executive order from President Joe Biden encouraging federal agencies to cooperate in policing anticompetitive practices.