About | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline



13 J. Marshall Rev. Intell. Prop. L. [i] (2013-2014)

handle is hein.journals/johnmars13 and id is 1 raw text is: THE JOHN MARSHALL
REVIEW OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW

APPLICATION OF THE HATCH-WAXMAN ACT'S SAFE HARBOR PROVISION FOLLOWING
MOMENTA
ALFRED C. SERVER
ABSTRACT
The Federal Circuit's recent decision in Momenta v. Amphastar highlights the continuing
uncertainty regarding the scope of the statutory exemption from patent infringement provided in 35
U.S.C. § 271(e)(1). The statute states that [i]t shall not be an act of infringement to make, use, offer
to sell, or sell within the United States or import into the United States a patented
invention . . . solely for uses reasonably related to the development and submission of information
under a Federal law which regulates the manufacture, use, or sale of drugs or veterinary biological
products. Since its adoption in 1984 with the passage of the Hatch-Waxman Act, however, the
precise meaning of the statute has been the subject of considerable debate, triggering two U.S.
Supreme Court decisions and multiple decisions of the Federal Circuit and various U.S. district
courts. Judicial interpretations of key terms of § 271(e)(1), based on a textual analysis of the statute,
the structure of the Hatch-Waxman Act and the legislative history of the Act, have resulted in
conflicting views as to the scope and applicability of the statute. This Article provides a working
interpretation of the meaning of the statute, based on currently controlling case law.

Copyright © 2013 The John Marshall Law School
Cite as Alfred C. Server, Application of the Hatch-Waxman Act's Safe Harbor Provision
Following Momenta, 13 J. MARSHALL REV. INTELL. PROP. L. 1 (2013).