Bill · H.R. 3269· House(119-HR-3269)
ETHIC Act
- Introduced
- 5/8/2025
- Last activity
- 5/8/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Jodey Arrington
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 6
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The ETHIC Act aims to address patent thickets. It limits the number of patents that can be asserted in an infringement action against certain parties. These parties include those involved with specific drug or biological product applications or those manufacturing and selling them. The bill defines a "Patent Group" based on patents or applications linked through specific disclaimers. Under this rule, a person can assert no more than one patent per Patent Group in a single action.
Yes· 3 of 7
Does this lower the price of prescription medicines?+6
Reducing patent thickets can facilitate the entry of generic or biosimilar products, lowering drug costs.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+5
Lower drug prices through increased competition directly benefit low-income households.
Would retired people be better off under this?+5
Lower medication costs are highly beneficial for retirees on fixed incomes.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Limits Patent Assertions: A person bringing an action for infringement may only assert one patent per Patent Group against a specific party (Section 2-a-7-A). This could prevent multiple patents within a group from being used simultaneously in a single legal action.
-
Prevents Additional Actions: Once a person asserts a patent from a Patent Group, they are prohibited from bringing additional actions in that same group against that party (Section 2-a-7-C).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Restrictions on Patent Holders: The bill places limits on those who bring infringement actions against parties involved with drugs or biological products approved under specific sections of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or the Public Health Service Act (Section 2-a-7-A-B).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+5Good For Retirees+5Good For Middle Class Households+4
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+5Improves Consumer Protection+4
- Healthcare
- Reduces Prescription Drug Costs+6
- Education And Technology
- Improves Intellectual Property Fairness+5
- 6/23/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/20/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/6/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/29/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/9/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/8/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Angie CraigDemocrat · Minnesota
Lloyd DoggettDemocrat · Texas
Debbie DingellDemocrat · Michigan
Jesús GarcíaDemocrat · Illinois
Diana HarshbargerRepublican · Tennessee
Darrell IssaRepublican · California
Pramila JayapalDemocrat · Washington
August PflugerRepublican · Texas
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan