The article discusses how MedImmune, the maker of monoclonal antibodies, sued biotechnology company, Genentech, the City of Hope National Medical Center, and the British company Celltech for antitrust charges. The case involves a patent that one litigant calls the "fundamental technology" needed for the artificial synthesis of antibodies. The suit claims that Genentech and Celltech colluded illegally to extend a monopoly over monoclonal antibody technology for more than a decade beyond a patent's 2006 expiration date. The wrangling began after Celltech received a very broad patent in 1989 for making monoclonal antibodies. Genentech then initiated a proceeding at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, claiming that it had invented the technology first and thus should retain patent rights. The PTO held for Celltech. Subsequently, the two companies entered into a confidential settlement that resulted in a federal district court ordering on March 16, 2001, that the PTO should revoke Celltech's patent, slated for expiration in 2006, and issue a new one to Genentech, with an expiration of 2018. The effect of issuing a new patent to Genentech essentially results in a patent term of 29 years--from 1989 to 2018--allowing Genentech to reap unreasonable gains from licensing fees during the patent extension, in Medlmmune's view.