Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations
SOR/93-133
(as amended up to September 21, 2017)
PATENT ACT
Registration 1993-03-12
Regulations Respecting a Notice of Compliance Pertaining to Patented Medicines
P.C. 1993-502 1993-03-12
His Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the
Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs, pursuant to subsection 55.2(4)* of
the Patent Act, is pleased hereby to make the annexed Regulations respecting a
notice of compliance pertaining to patented medicines.
*S.C. 1993, c. 2, s. 4
Short Title 1 These Regulations may be cited as the Patented Medicines (Notice of
Compliance) Regulations.
Interpretation [SOR/2015-169, s. 1(F)]
2 (1) In these Regulations,
claim for the dosage form means a claim for a delivery system for
administering a medicinal ingredient in a drug or a formulation of a drug that
includes within its scope that medicinal ingredient or formulation; (revendication
de la forme posologique)
claim for the formulation means a claim for a mixture that is composed of
medicinal and non-medicinal ingredients, that is contained in a drug and that is
administered to a patient in a particular dosage form; (revendication de la
formulation)
claim for the medicinal ingredient includes a claim in the patent for the
medicinal ingredient, whether chemical or biological in nature, when prepared or
produced by the methods or processes of manufacture particularly described and
claimed in the patent, or by their obvious chemical equivalents, and also includes
a claim for different polymorphs of the medicinal ingredient, but does not include
different chemical forms of the medicinal ingredient; (revendication de l’ingrédient
médicinal)
claim for the medicine itself [Repealed, SOR/2006-242, s. 1]
claim for the use of the medicinal ingredient means a claim for the use of the
medicinal ingredient for the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation or prevention of a
disease, disorder or abnormal physical state, or its symptoms; (revendication de
l’utilisation de l’ingrédient médicinal)
claim for the use of the medicine [Repealed, SOR/2006-242, s. 1]
court [Repealed, SOR/2017-166, s. 1]
expire means
(a) in relation to a patent, expire, lapse or terminate by operation of law; and
(b) in relation to a certificate of supplementary protection, expire or terminate
by operation of law; (expiré)
first person means the person referred to in subsection 4(1); (première
personne)
medicine [Repealed, SOR/2006-242, s. 1]
Minister means the Minister of Health; (ministre)
notice of compliance means a notice issued under section C.08.004 or
C.08.004.01 of the Food and Drug Regulations; (avis de conformité)
patent list means a list submitted under subsection 4(1); (liste de brevets)
register means the register maintained by the Minister in accordance with
subsection 3(2); (registre)
second person means the person referred to in subsection 5(1) or (2) who files
a submission or supplement referred to in those subsections. (seconde
personne)
(2) For the purposes of the definition claim for the formulation in subsection (1),
the claim for the formulation need not specify the non-medicinal ingredients
contained in the drug.
(3) In these Regulations, a reference to the owner of a patent includes the owner
of a patent set out in a certificate of supplementary protection.
SOR/98-166, s. 1; SOR/99-379, s. 1; SOR/2006-242, s. 1; err. (E), Vol. 140, No. 23; SOR/2008-
211, s. 1; SOR/2011-89, s. 1; SOR/2015-169, s. 2; SOR/2017-166, s. 1.
Register and Patent List 3 (1) The following definitions apply in this section and in section 4.
identification number means a number, preceded by the letters “DIN”, that is
assigned for a drug in accordance with subsection C.01.014.2(1) of the Food and
Drug Regulations. (identification numérique)
new drug submission means a new drug submission or an extraordinary use
new drug submission as those terms are used in Division 8 of Part C of the Food
and Drug Regulations, but excludes such a submission that is based solely on the
change of name of the manufacturer. (présentation de drogue nouvelle)
supplement to a new drug submission means a supplement to a new drug
submission or a supplement to an extraordinary use new drug submission as
those terms are used in Division 8 of Part C of the Food and Drug Regulations,
but excludes such a supplement that is based solely on one or more of the
matters mentioned in any of paragraphs C.08.003(2)(b) and (d) to (g) and
subparagraphs C.08.003(2)(h)(iv) and (v) of those Regulations. (supplément à
une présentation de drogue nouvelle)
(2) The Minister shall maintain a register of patents that have been submitted for
addition to the register and certificates of supplementary protection in which any
of those patents are set out
(a) by adding any patent on a patent list or certificate of supplementary
protection that meets the requirements for addition to the register;
(b) by refusing to add any patent or certificate of supplementary protection
that does not meet the requirements for addition to the register;
(c) by deleting any patent or certificate of supplementary protection
(i) that was added to the register due to an administrative error,
(ii) that has, under subsection 60(1) or 125(1) of the Patent Act, been
declared to be invalid or void,
(iii) that has, under subsection 6.07(1), been declared to be ineligible for
inclusion on the register, or
(iv) the deletion of which was requested by the first person in respect of
the patent list that includes that patent;
(d) by deleting, in respect of a new drug submission or a supplement to a new
drug submission, any patent that has expired, unless a certificate of
supplementary protection in which the patent is set out is included on the
register in respect of that submission or supplement; and
(e) by deleting any certificate of supplementary protection that has expired.
(2.1) The Minister is not permitted to make a deletion referred to in subparagraph
(2)(c)(iii) based on a decision by the Federal Court before the later of the day on
which the period for appealing that decision to the Federal Court of Appeal ends
and the day on which any appeal of that decision to the Federal Court of Appeal
is discontinued or dismissed.
(2.2) The Minister shall add any patent or certificate of supplementary protection
to the register that has been deleted under subparagraph (2)(c)(ii) or (iii) based
on a decision that subsequently is reversed or set aside on appeal.
(2.3) The Minister may review the register to determine whether any patents or
certificates of supplementary protection do not meet the requirements for
inclusion on the register and, if the Minister conducts that review, shall delete any
patent or certificate of supplementary protection that is determined not to meet
those requirements.
(3) If a patent is listed on the register in respect of a new drug submission or
supplement to a new drug submission for a drug for which the identification
number has been cancelled under paragraph C.01.014.6(1)(a) of the Food and
Drug Regulations, the Minister shall delete the patent from the register 90 days
after the date of cancellation.
(4) Subsection (3) does not apply if the identification number is cancelled under
paragraph C.01.014.6(1)(a) of the Food and Drug Regulations because of a
change in manufacturer.
(5) If, after an identification number is cancelled under paragraph C.01.014.6(1)
(a) of the Food and Drug Regulations, an identification number is assigned for the
same drug, the Minister shall add to the register the patent that was deleted
under subsection (3) when the Minister receives the document required by
section C.01.014.3 of the Food and Drug Regulations in respect of the drug.
(6) The register shall be open to public inspection during business hours.
(7) No patent on a patent list or certificate of supplementary protection shall be
added to the register until after the Minister has issued a notice of compliance in
respect of the new drug submission or the supplement to a new drug submission,
as the case may be, to which the patent or certificate of supplementary protection
relates.
(8) For the purpose of determining whether a patent or certificate of
supplementary protection is to be added to or deleted from the register, the
Minister may consult with officers or employees of the Patent Office.
SOR/98-166, s. 2; SOR/2006-242, s. 2; SOR/2011-89, s. 2; SOR/2017-166, s. 2.
3.1 (1) The Minister shall not delete from the register a patent on a patent list that
was submitted before June 17, 2006, unless
(a) the patent has expired;
(b) a court has, under subsection 60(1) of the Patent Act, declared that the
patent is invalid or void;
(c) the identification number assigned to the drug in respect of which the
patent is listed is cancelled under paragraph C.01.014.6(1)(a) of the Food and
Drug Regulations; or
(d) the first person in respect of that patent list requests the Minister to delete
the patent.
(2) The Minister shall not refuse to add to the register a patent on a patent list that
was submitted before June 17, 2006 solely on the basis that the patent is not
relevant to the submission for a notice of compliance to which the patent list
relates.
SOR/2008-211, s. 2; SOR/2017-166, s. 3.
3.2 [Repealed, SOR/2017-166, s. 4]
4 (1) A first person who files or who has filed a new drug submission or a
supplement to a new drug submission may submit to the Minister a patent list in
relation to the submission or supplement for addition to the register.
(1.1) The patent list may include a patent whose term under section 44 of the
Patent Act, without taking into account section 46 of that Act, has expired and that
is set out in a certificate of supplementary protection that has taken effect.
(2) A patent on a patent list in relation to a new drug submission is eligible to be
added to the register if the patent contains
(a) a claim for the medicinal ingredient and the medicinal ingredient has been
approved through the issuance of a notice of compliance in respect of the
submission;
(b) a claim for the formulation that contains the medicinal ingredient and the
formulation has been approved through the issuance of a notice of compliance
in respect of the submission;
(c) a claim for the dosage form and the dosage form has been approved
through the issuance of a notice of compliance in respect of the submission;
or
(d) a claim for the use of the medicinal ingredient, and the use has been
approved through the issuance of a notice of compliance in respect of the
submission.
(2.1) The following rules apply when determining the eligibility of a patent to be
added to the register under subsection (2):
(a) for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a), a patent that contains a claim for the
medicinal ingredient is eligible even if the submission includes, in addition to
the medicinal ingredient claimed in the patent, other medicinal ingredients;
(b) for the purposes of paragraph (2)(b), a patent that contains a claim for the
formulation is eligible if the submission includes the non-medicinal ingredients
specified in the claim, if any are specified, even if the submission contains any
additional non-medicinal ingredients; and
(c) for the purposes of paragraph (2)(d), a patent that contains a claim for the
use of the medicinal ingredient is eligible if the submission includes the use
claimed in the patent, even if
(i) the submission includes additional medicinal ingredients,
(ii) the submission includes other additional uses of the medicinal
ingredient, or
(iii) the use that is included in the submission requires the use of the
medicinal ingredient in combination with another drug.
(3) A patent on a patent list in relation to a supplement to a new drug submission
is eligible to be added to the register if the supplement is for a change in
formulation, a change in dosage form or a change in use of the medicinal
ingredient, and
(a) in the case of a change in formulation, the patent contains a claim for the
changed formulation that has been approved through the issuance of a notice
of compliance in respect of the supplement;
(b) in the case of a change in dosage form, the patent contains a claim for the
changed dosage form that has been approved through the issuance of a
notice of compliance in respect of the supplement; or
(c) in the case of a change in use of the medicinal ingredient, the patent
contains a claim for the changed use of the medicinal ingredient that has been
approved through the issuance of a notice of compliance in respect of the
supplement.
(3.1) A certificate of supplementary protection is eligible to be added to the
register in respect of a new drug submission or a supplement to a new drug
submission if
(a) the patent that is set out in the certificate of supplementary protection is
included on the register in respect of that submission or supplement; and
(b) the submission or supplement relates to a drug with respect to which the
certificate of supplementary protection grants rights, privileges and liberties
referred to in section 115 of the Patent Act.
(4) A patent list shall contain the following:
(a) an identification of the new drug submission or the supplement to a new
drug submission to which the list relates;
(b) the medicinal ingredient, brand name, dosage form, strength, route of
administration and use set out in the new drug submission or the supplement
to a new drug submission to which the list relates;
(c) for each patent on the list, the patent number, the filing date of the patent
application in Canada, the date of grant of the patent and the date on which
the term limited for the duration of the patent will expire under section 44 or 45
of the Patent Act;
(d) for each patent on the list, a statement that the first person who filed the
new drug submission or the supplement to a new drug submission to which
the list relates
(i) is the owner of the patent,
(ii) has an exclusive licence to the patent or to a certificate of
supplementary protection in which that patent is set out, or
(iii) has obtained the consent of the owner of the patent to its inclusion on
the list;
(e) the address in Canada for service, on the first person, of a notice of
allegation referred to in paragraph 5(3)(a) or the name and address in Canada
of another person on whom service may be made with the same effect as if
service were made on the first person; and
(f) a certification by the first person that the information submitted under this
subsection is accurate and that each patent on the list meets the eligibility
requirements of subsection (2) or (3).
(5) Subject to subsection (6), a first person who submits a patent list must do so
at the time the person files the new drug submission or the supplement to a new
drug submission to which the patent list relates.
(6) A first person may, after the date of filing of a new drug submission or a
supplement to a new drug submission, and within 30 days after the issuance of a
patent that was issued on the basis of an application that has a filing date in
Canada that precedes the date of filing of the submission or supplement, submit a
patent list, including the information referred to in subsection (4), in relation to the
submission or supplement.
(7) A first person who has submitted a patent list must keep the information on
the list up to date but, in so doing, may not add a patent to the list.
(8) The Minister shall insert on the patent list the date of filing and submission
number of the new drug submission or the supplement to a new drug submission
in relation to which the list was submitted.
SOR/98-166, s. 3; SOR/2006-242, s. 2; err. (E), Vol. 140, No. 23; SOR/2015-169, s. 4;
SOR/2017-166, s. 5.
4.1 (1) In this section, supplement to the new drug submission means a
supplement to a new drug submission or a supplement to an extraordinary use
new drug submission as those terms are used in Division 8 of Part C of the Food
and Drug Regulations.
(2) A first person who submits a patent list in relation to a new drug submission
referred to in subsection 4(2) may, if the list is added to the register, resubmit the
same list in relation to a supplement to the new drug submission, but may not
submit a new patent list in relation to a supplement except in accordance with
subsection 4(3).
SOR/2006-242, s. 2; SOR/2011-89, s. 3.
5 (1) If a second person files a submission for a notice of compliance in respect of
a drug and the submission directly or indirectly compares the drug with, or makes
reference to, another drug marketed in Canada under a notice of compliance
issued to a first person and in respect of which a patent list has been submitted,
the second person shall include in the submission the required statements or
allegations set out in subsection (2.1).
(2) If a second person files a supplement to a submission referred to in
subsection (1) seeking a notice of compliance for a change in formulation, a
change in dosage form or a change in use of the medicinal ingredient and the
supplement directly or indirectly compares the drug for which the supplement is
filed with, or makes reference to, another drug that has been marketed in Canada
under a notice of compliance issued to a first person and in respect of which a
patent list has been submitted, the second person shall include in the supplement
the required statements or allegations set out in subsection (2.1).
(2.1) The statements or allegations required for the submission or the
supplement, as the case may be, are — with respect to each patent included on
the register in respect of the other drug and with respect to each certificate of
supplementary protection in which the patent is set out and that is included on the
register in respect of the other drug — the following:
(a) a statement that the owner of that patent has consented to the making,
constructing, using or selling in Canada of the drug for which the submission
or supplement is filed by the second person;
(b) a statement that the second person accepts that the notice of compliance
will not issue until that patent or certificate of supplementary protection, as the
case may be, expires; or
(c) an allegation that
(i) the statement made by the first person under paragraph 4(4)(d) is false,
(ii) that patent or certificate of supplementary protection is invalid or void,
(iii) that patent or certificate of supplementary protection is ineligible for
inclusion on the register,
(iv) that patent or certificate of supplementary protection would not be
infringed by the second person making, constructing, using or selling the
drug for which the submission or the supplement is filed,
(v) that patent or certificate of supplementary protection has expired, or
(vi) in the case of a certificate of supplementary protection, that certificate
of supplementary protection cannot take effect.
(3) A second person who makes an allegation referred to in paragraph (2.1)(c)
shall
(a) serve on the first person a notice of allegation relating to the submission or
supplement filed under subsection (1) or (2) on or after its date of filing;
(b) include in the notice of allegation
(i) a description of the medicinal ingredient, dosage form, strength, route of
administration and use of the drug in respect of which the submission or
supplement has been filed, and
(ii) a statement of the legal and factual basis for the allegation, which
statement must be detailed in the case of an allegation that the patent or
certificate of supplementary protection is invalid or void;
(c) serve the following documents with the notice:
(i) a certification by the Minister of the date of filing of the submission or
supplement,
(ii) a document setting out the second person’s address for service for the
purpose of any action that may be brought against them under subsection
6(1), along with the names of and contact information for their anticipated
solicitors of record if that action is brought,
(iii) a searchable electronic copy of the portions of the submission or
supplement that are under the control of the second person and relevant to
determine if any patent or certificate of supplementary protection referred
to in the allegation would be infringed, and
(iv) if the second person is alleging that the patent or certificate of
supplementary protection is invalid or void, an electronic copy of any
document — along with an electronic copy of it in English or French if
available — on which the person is relying in support of the allegation;
(d) provide, without delay, to the first person any portion of a submission or
supplement referred to in subparagraph (c)(iii) that is changed on or before
the later of the 45th day after the day on which the notice of allegation is
served and the day of the disposition of any action that has been brought
under subsection 6(1); and
(e) provide to the Minister proof of service of the documents referred to in
paragraphs (a) and (b), along with a copy of the notice of allegation.
(3.1) A second person who makes an allegation that the patent or certificate of
supplementary protection is invalid or void may, when the notice of allegation is
served, request
(a) the name of and contact information for any inventor who might have
information relevant to the allegation, along with an indication as to whether
that inventor is an employee of the first person or of the patent owner; and
(b) any laboratory notebook, research report or other document that may be
relevant to determine whether a particular property, advantage, or use
asserted by the second person to be part of the invention was established as
of the filing date of the application for the patent, if the second person
identifies the specific allegation in the notice of allegation that is relevant to the
request and the portion of the patent in which that property, advantage or use
is set out.
(3.2) A document referred to in paragraph (3.1)(b) must be provided in a
searchable electronic format but, if it is not available in that format, in an
electronic format. In addition, if the document provided is not already in English or
French, it must also be provided, if available, in English or French and be in a
searchable electronic format but, if it is not available in that format, in an
electronic format.
(3.3) Within five days after the day on which the first person is served with any
notice or document under subsection (3), they shall forward a copy of it, along
with any request made under subsection (3.1) when the notice was served and
an indication of the date of the service,
(a) to the owner of each patent in respect of which an allegation is made in
that notice; and
(b) to the owner of a patent that is set out in each certificate of supplementary
protection in respect of which an allegation is made in that notice.
(3.4) The first person shall, without delay, notify the second person that they
forwarded the copy under subsection (3.3) and, if they are owner of any patent
referred to in that subsection, that they are its owner.
(3.5) The second person may impose on the first person referred to in paragraph
(3)(a) and any owner of a patent to whom a document is forwarded under
subsection (3.3) any reasonable rules for maintaining the confidentiality of any
portion of a submission or supplement referred to in subparagraph (3)(c)(iii).
(3.6) Those confidentiality rules are binding and enforceable by the Federal
Court, which may award any remedy that it considers just if they are not
respected.
(3.7) On motion of the first person or of the owner of the patent — or on its own
initiative after giving an opportunity to be heard to that first person, that owner and
the second person — the Federal Court may set aside or vary any or all of those
confidentiality rules in any manner that it considers just.
(3.8) A second person who is, under subparagraph (3)(c)(iii) or paragraph (3)(d),
required to serve or provide a document may — if there is reason to believe that
the intended recipient of the document is not in Canada — refuse to do so unless
that recipient attorns to the jurisdiction of the Federal Court with respect to the
confidentiality of the information set out in the document.
(3.9) A second person who is, under subparagraph (3)(c)(iii) or paragraph (3)(d),
required to serve or provide a document to a first person referred to in paragraph
(3)(a) may — if there is reason to believe that the first person is required to
forward the document to the owner of a patent who is not in Canada — require
that the first person forward it only if that owner attorns to the jurisdiction of the
Federal Court with respect to the confidentiality of the information set out in the
document.
(4) A second person is not required to comply with
(a) subsection (1) in respect of a patent, or a certificate of supplementary
protection that sets out the patent, that is added to the register in respect of
the other drug on or after the date of filing of the submission referred to in that
subsection, including one added under subsection 3(2.2) or (5); and
(b) subsection (2) in respect of a patent, or a certificate of supplementary
protection that sets out the patent, that is added to the register in respect of
the other drug on or after the date of filing of the supplement referred to in that
subsection, including one added under subsection 3(2.2) or (5).
(5) For the purposes of subsections (3) and (4), if subsection (1) or (2) applies to
a submission or supplement referred to in paragraph C.07.003(b) of the Food and
Drug Regulations, if the drug to which the comparison or reference is made is an
innovative drug within the meaning of subsection C.08.004.1(1) of those
Regulations and if the date of filing of the submission or supplement is less than
six years from the day on which the first notice of compliance was issued in
respect of the innovative drug, the deemed date of filing of the submission or
supplement is six years after the date of issuance of the notice of compliance.
(6) A second person who has served a notice of allegation on a first person under
paragraph (3)(a) shall retract the notice of allegation and serve notice of the
retraction on the first person within 90 days after either of the following dates:
(a) the date on which the Minister notifies the second person under paragraph
C.08.004(3)(b) or C.08.004.01(3)(b), as the case may be, of the Food and
Drug Regulations of their non-compliance with the requirements of section
C.08.002, C.08.002.01, C.08.002.1 or C.08.003, as the case may be, or
section C.08.005.1 of those Regulations; or
(b) the date of the cancellation by the second person of the submission or
supplement to which the allegation relates.
(6.1) Within five days after the day on which the first person is served under
subsection (6), they shall, if they are not the owner of any patent to which the
notice of allegation relates, forward to the owner of that patent a copy of the
notice of retraction.
(7) A person who brings an action under subsection 6(1) in response to a notice
of allegation shall, if the notice is retracted in accordance with subsection (6), file
without delay a notice of discontinuance.
SOR/98-166, ss. 4, 9; SOR/99-379, s. 2; SOR/2006-242, s. 2; err. (E), Vol. 140, No. 23;
SOR/2011-89, s. 4; SOR/2017-166, s. 6.
Right of Action 6 (1) The first person or an owner of a patent who receives a notice of allegation
referred to in paragraph 5(3)(a) may, within 45 days after the day on which the
first person is served with the notice, bring an action against the second person in
the Federal Court for a declaration that the making, constructing, using or selling
of a drug in accordance with the submission or supplement referred to in
subsection 5(1) or (2) would infringe any patent or certificate of supplementary
protection that is the subject of an allegation set out in that notice.
(2) If the person who brings an action under subsection (1) is not the owner of
each patent — or of a patent that is set out in each certificate of supplementary
protection — that is the subject of the action, the owner of each of those patents
shall be or be made a party to the action.
(3) The second person may bring a counterclaim for a declaration
(a) under subsection 60(1) or (2) of the Patent Act in respect of any patent
claim asserted in the action brought under subsection (1); or
(b) under 125(1) or (2) of that Act in respect of any claim, asserted in the
action brought under subsection (1), in the patent set out in the certificate of
supplementary protection in question in that action.
(4) If the Federal Court makes a declaration referred to in subsection (1), it may
order any other remedy that is available under the Patent Act, or at law or in
equity, in respect of infringement of a patent or a certificate of supplementary
protection.
SOR/98-166, ss. 5, 9; SOR/99-379, s. 3; SOR/2006-242, s. 3; err. (E), Vol. 140, No. 23;
SOR/2008-211, s. 3; SOR/2017-166, s. 7.
6.01 No action, other than one brought under subsection 6(1), may be brought
against the second person for infringement of a patent or a certificate of
supplementary protection that is the subject of a notice of allegation served under
paragraph 5(3)(a) in relation to the making, constructing, using or selling of a drug
in accordance with the submission or supplement referred to in subsection 5(1) or
(2) unless the first person or the owner of the patent did not, within the 45-day
period referred to in subsection 6(1), have a reasonable basis for bringing an
action under that subsection.
SOR/2017-166, s. 7.
6.02 No action may be joined to a given action brought under subsection 6(1)
during any period during which the Minister shall not issue a notice of compliance
because of paragraph 7(1)(d) other than
(a) another action brought under that subsection in relation to the submission
or supplement in that given action; and
(b) an action brought in relation to a certificate of supplementary protection
that is added to the register after the filing of the submission or supplement in
that given action, if the patent that is set out in that certificate of
supplementary protection is at issue in that given action.
SOR/2017-166, s. 7.
6.03 (1) If a second person makes a request under subsection 5(3.1), the person
who brings the action must serve on the second person at the same time as their
statement of claim,
(a) a document setting out the information referred to in paragraph (3.1)(a)
and the documents referred to in paragraph (3.1)(b);
(b) a document setting out an explanation of the steps that have been and are
being taken to locate that information or those documents, along with a
statement that they will be provided as soon as feasible; or
(c) a document setting out the reasons for not providing them, if applicable.
(2) The person bringing the action may impose on the second person any
reasonable rules for maintaining the confidentiality of the information set out in
any document provided under paragraph (1)(a).
(3) Those confidentiality rules are binding and enforceable by the Federal Court,
which may award any remedy that it considers just if they are not respected.
(4) On motion of the second person or on its own initiative, after giving an
opportunity to be heard to the parties to the action, the Federal Court may set
aside or vary any or all of those confidentiality rules in any manner that it
considers just.
(5) Any person who is, under paragraph (1)(a), required to provide a document
may — if there is reason to believe that the intended recipient of the document is
not in Canada — refuse to provide it unless the recipient attorns to the jurisdiction
of the Federal Court with respect to the confidentiality of the information set out in
the document.
SOR/2017-166, s. 7.
6.04 (1) On the motion of a first person or owner of a patent who is a party to an
action brought under subsection 6(1) or a counterclaim brought under subsection
6(3), the Federal Court may, at any time during the proceeding, order that the
second person produce any portion of the submission or supplement that is
relevant to determine if any patent or certificate of supplementary protection at
issue would be infringed and any such portion that is changed.
(2) On the motion of a second person who is party to an action brought under
subsection 6(1) or a counterclaim brought under subsection 6(3), the Federal
Court may, at any time during the proceeding, order that the first person or owner
of a patent produce a document setting out any information referred to in
paragraph 5(3.1)(a) or any laboratory notebook, research report or other
document that may be relevant to determine whether a particular property,
advantage, or use asserted by the second person to be part of the invention was
established as of the filing date of the application for the patent.
(3) The information set out in any document produced under subsection (1) or (2)
shall be treated confidentially by the Federal Court subject to any conditions that
it considers just.
SOR/2017-166, s. 7.
6.05 The Minister shall, on the request of any party, verify that any portion of a
submission or supplement that is referred to in subparagraph 5(3)(c)(iii) or
paragraph 5(3)(d) or produced as a result of an order made under subsection
6.04(1) corresponds to the submission or supplement filed.
SOR/2017-166, s. 7.
6.06 On the request, made by way of a motion, of a person who imposed rules
referred to in subsection 5(3.5) or 6.03(2) for maintaining the confidentiality of the
information set out in any document, the Federal Court shall treat that information
confidentially subject to any conditions that it considers just.
SOR/2017-166, s. 7.
6.07 (1) In an action brought under subsection 6(1), the Federal Court may, on
the motion of the second person, declare that a patent or certificate of
supplementary protection is ineligible for inclusion on the register.
(2) The Minister may intervene as of right in the motion and make representations
and call evidence that are relevant to any issue in the motion or to the factors that
the Federal Court is entitled to take into consideration in determining the issue.
The Minister may intervene as of right in any appeal arising from the decision
made on the motion, whether the Minister intervened at the Federal Court or not.
(3) The Federal Court shall not, in whole or in part, dismiss the action solely on
the basis that a patent or certificate of supplementary protection is ineligible for
inclusion on the register.
(4) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of a patent on a patent list that was
submitted before June 17, 2006.
SOR/2017-166, s. 7.
6.08 An action brought under subsection 6(1) may, on the motion of a second
person, be dismissed, in whole or in part, on the ground that it is redundant,
scandalous, frivolous or vexatious or is otherwise an abuse of process in respect
of one or more patents or certificates of supplementary protection.
SOR/2017-166, s. 7.
6.09 Every first person, second person and owner of a patent shall act diligently
in carrying out their obligations under these Regulations and shall reasonably
cooperate in expediting any action brought under subsection 6(1) or a
counterclaim brought under subsection 6(3) to which they are a party.
SOR/2017-166, s. 7.
6.1 (1) An action brought under subsection 6(1) shall be a specially managed
proceeding in accordance with the Federal Courts Rules.
(2) The case management judge who is assigned the specially managed
proceeding shall conduct a case management conference as soon as feasible
after the 10th day after proof of service of the statement of claim in the action is
filed.
SOR/2017-166, s. 7.
6.11 (1) Any interlocutory order made in an action brought under subsection 6(1)
or a counterclaim brought under subsection 6(3), including one that, in whole or in
part, disposes of the action or counterclaim, may be appealed to the Federal
Court of Appeal, with leave of that Court, and not to the Federal Court.
(2) The motion for leave to appeal shall be filed no later than 10 days after the
day on which that interlocutory order is made.
SOR/2017-166, s. 7.
6.12 (1) In an action brought under subsection 6(1) or a counterclaim brought
under subsection 6(3), the Federal Court may make any order in respect of costs,
including on a solicitor-and-client basis, in accordance with the Federal Courts
Rules.
(2) In addition to any other factor that the Federal Court may take into account in
making an order in respect of costs, it may consider
(a) the diligence with which the parties have pursued the action;
(b) the extent to which they have reasonably cooperated in expediting the
action;
(c) the certification of a patent list that includes a patent that should not have
been included under section 4; and
(d) the failure of the first person to keep a patent list up to date in accordance
with subsection 4(7).
SOR/2017-166, s. 7.
6.13 The person who brings an action under subsection 6(1) shall provide to the
Minister, as soon as feasible, a copy of the following documents in relation to the
action:
(a) the statement of claim, including any amendments to it;
(b) any order made under subsection 6.04(1) or 7(8);
(c) any declaration referred to in subsection 6(1) or (3) or 6.07(1);
(d) the notice of motion and the motion record in respect of any motion
referred to in subsection 6.07(1);
(e) any document discontinuing or dismissing the action, in whole or in part;
(f) any notice of appeal, including a motion or application for leave to appeal,
in relation to any document referred to in paragraph (b), (c) or (e); and
(g) any judgment or order in an appeal, or a motion or application for leave to
appeal, in relation to any document referred to in paragraph (b), (c) or (e).
SOR/2017-166, s. 7.
Notice of Compliance 7 (1) The Minister shall not issue a notice of compliance to a second person
before the latest of
(a) the day after the expiry of all of the patents and certificates of
supplementary protection in respect of which the second person is required to
make a statement or allegation under subsection 5(1) or (2) and that are not
the subject of an allegation;
(b) the day on which the second person complies with paragraph 5(3)(e);
(c) the 46th day after the day on which a notice of allegation under paragraph
5(3)(a) is served;
(d) the day after the expiry of the 24-month period that begins on the day on
which an action is brought under subsection 6(1);
(e) the day after the expiry of all of the patents and certificates of
supplementary protection in respect of which a declaration of infringement has
been made in an action brought under subsection 6(1); and
(f) the day after the expiry of all of the certificates of supplementary protection,
other than any that were held not to be infringed in an action referred to in
paragraph (e), that
(i) set out a patent referred to in paragraph (a) or (e),
(ii) are not the subject of a statement or allegation made under subsection
5(1) or (2), and
(iii) are included on the register in respect of the same submission or
supplement as the patent.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of a patent or a certificate of
supplementary protection if the Minister has been provided with evidence from
the owner of the patent of their consent to the making, constructing, using or
selling of the drug in Canada by the second person.
(3) Paragraphs (1)(a) to (d) do not apply in respect of a patent or certificate of
supplementary protection if it is deleted from the register under any of paragraphs
3(2)(c) to (e) or subsection 3(2.3) or (3).
(4) Paragraph (1)(d) does not apply in respect of a patent or a certificate of
supplementary protection that has been declared in the action referred to in that
paragraph by the Federal Court to be ineligible for inclusion on the register.
(5) Paragraph (1)(d) does not apply if
(a) the action referred to in that paragraph is discontinued or dismissed; or
(b) each of the parties who brings an action referred to in subsection 6(1) in
relation to a given notice of allegation provides, when they bring the action, a
notice to the second person and the Minister that they renounce the
application of that paragraph.
(6) A party may make the renouncement referred to in paragraph (5)(b) without
prejudice to their right to proceed with the action or any other action for patent
infringement or their entitlement to any remedy from the Federal Court or another
court.
(7) A second person, or a first person or owner of a patent who receives a notice
of allegation, shall, on request of the Minister, provide to the Minister without
delay any information or document that the Minister requires to maintain the
register in accordance with subsection 3(2), to determine the latest of the days
referred to in subsection (1) and to determine whether any of subsections (2) to
(5) apply.
(8) As long as the Federal Court has not made a declaration referred to in
subsection 6(1), it may shorten or extend the 24-month period referred to in
paragraph (1)(d) if it finds that a party has not acted diligently in carrying out their
obligations under these Regulations or has not reasonably cooperated in
expediting the action.
SOR/98-166, ss. 6, 9; SOR/2006-242, s. 4; SOR/2010-212, s. 1; SOR/2017-166, s. 8.
8 (1) A second person may apply to the Federal Court or another superior court of
competent jurisdiction for an order requiring all plaintiffs in an action brought
under subsection 6(1) to compensate the second person for the loss referred to in
subsection (2).
(2) Subject to subsection (3), if an action brought under subsection 6(1) is
discontinued or dismissed or if a declaration referred to in subsection 6(1) is
reversed on appeal, all plaintiffs in the action are jointly and severally, or
solidarily, liable to the second person for any loss suffered after the later of the
day on which the notice of allegation was served, the service of which allowed
that action to be brought, and of the day, as certified by the Minister, on which a
notice of compliance would have been issued in the absence of these
Regulations.
(3) The Federal Court or the other superior court may specify another day for the
purpose of subsection (2) if it concludes that the other day is more appropriate,
including being more appropriate because the certified day was, by the operation
of An Act to amend the Patent Act and the Food and Drugs Act (The Jean
Chrétien Pledge to Africa), chapter 23 of the Statutes of Canada, 2004, earlier
than it would otherwise have been.
(4) Subsections (1) to (3) do not apply if paragraph 7(1)(d) has no application
because its application has been renounced under paragraph 7(5)(b).
(5) If the Federal Court or the other superior court orders a second person to be
compensated for a loss referred to in subsection (2), the court may, in respect of
that loss, make any order for relief by way of damages that the circumstances
require.
(6) In assessing the amount of compensation — including any apportionment of
that amount between the plaintiffs who are liable under subsection (2) — the
court shall take into account all matters that it considers relevant to the
assessment of the amount or the apportionment, including any conduct of the
parties that contributed to delay the disposition of the action.
(7) No action or proceeding lies against Her Majesty in right of Canada in respect
of any loss referred to in subsection (2).
SOR/98-166, ss. 8, 9; SOR/2006-242, s. 5; SOR/2010-212, s. 2(F); SOR/2017-166, s. 8.
8.1 A person who files a submission for a notice of compliance or a supplement to
a submission for a notice of compliance in respect of a drug and who has
reasonable grounds to believe that the making, constructing, using or selling of
the drug might be alleged to infringe a patent or a certificate of supplementary
protection is, if the submission or supplement directly or indirectly compares the
drug with, or makes reference to, another drug marketed in Canada, an interested
person
(a) for the purpose of subsection 60(1) of the Patent Act with respect to
bringing an action for a declaration that the patent or any claim in the patent is
invalid or void; or
(b) for the purpose of subsection 125(1) of that Act with respect to bringing an
action for a declaration that the certificate of supplementary protection or any
claim in the patent set out in it is invalid or void.
SOR/2017-166, s. 8.
8.2 On receipt of a notice of allegation relating to a submission or supplement, a
first person or owner of a patent may, under subsection 54(1) or 124(1) of the
Patent Act, bring an action for infringement of a patent or certificate of
supplementary protection — other than one that is the subject of an allegation set
out in that notice — that could result from the making, constructing, using or
selling of the drug in accordance with the submission or supplement.
SOR/2017-166, s. 8.
Service 9 (1) Service of any document referred to in these Regulations shall be effected
personally or by registered mail.
(2) Service by registered mail shall be deemed to be effected on the addressee
five days after mailing.
RELATED PROVISIONS
— SOR/2006-242, s. 6
6 Section 4 of the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations, as enacted
by section 2 of these Regulations, does not apply to patents on a patent list submitted
prior to June 17, 2006.
— SOR/2006-242, s. 7
7 (1) Subsection 5(1) of the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations,
as enacted by section 2 of these Regulations, applies to a second person who has filed
a submission referred to in subsection 5(1) prior to the coming into force of these
Regulations and the date of filing of the submission is deemed to be the date of the
coming into force of these Regulations.
(2) Subsection 5(2) of the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations, as
enacted by section 2 of these Regulations, applies to a second person who has filed a
supplement to a submission referred to in subsection 5(2) prior to the coming into force
of these Regulations and the date of filing of the supplement is deemed to be the date
of the coming into force of these Regulations.
— SOR/2006-242, s. 8
8 Subsection 8(4) of the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations, as
enacted by subsection 5(2) of these Regulations, does not apply to an action
commenced under section 8 of the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance)
Regulations prior to the coming into force of these Regulations.
— SOR/2017-166, s. 9
9 (1) The Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations, as they read
immediately before the day on which these Regulations come into force, continue to
apply in respect of any matter that relates to a notice of allegation served on a first
person before that day.
(2) For greater certainty, sections 6 to 8 of the Regulations Amending the Patented
Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations, SOR/2006-242, continue to apply in
respect of the provisions set out in those sections.