T.C. Memo. 2016-45



                          UNITED STATES TAX COURT



             MYLAN INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES, Petitioners v.
           COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent



      Docket Nos. 16145-14, 27086-14.               Filed March 10, 2016.



      Armando Gomez, Christopher P. Murphy, Christopher G. Sigmund, Roland

Barral, and Alan J.J. Swirski, for petitioners.

      Emily J. Giometti, Donna P. Leone, and Lisa M. Rodriguez, for respondent.



                            MEMORANDUM OPINION


      LARO, Judge: These cases are before the Court consolidated for purposes

of trial, briefing, and opinion. Petitioners petitioned the Court to redetermine the

following Federal income tax deficiencies determined by respondent:
                                         -2-

[*2]                             Year          Deficiency

                                 2007              $1,223
                                 2008          98,622,234
                                 2009           4,382,422
                                 2011           1,215,101

       The deficiencies arise from the alleged sale by Mylan, Inc. (Mylan), of

intellectual property rights in a chemical compound called nebivolol to a third

party, Forest Laboratories Holdings, Ltd. (Forest), in 2008. Respondent argues

that the proceeds from the alleged sale should be characterized as ordinary income

while petitioners assert that the transaction resulted in capital gain.

       Pending before the Court is respondent’s motion for summary judgment

under Rule 1211 filed on September 16, 2015. Respondent argues that according

to the plain language of the contracts effecting the alleged sale, Mylan merely

granted a sublicense to Forest. Petitioners argue that because Mylan disposed of

substantially all the rights it had in nebivolol, the wording of the contract does not

preclude characterization of the transaction as a sale of a capital asset for tax

purposes. For the reasons set forth below, we will deny respondent’s motion.




       1
       Unless otherwise indicated, section references are to the Internal Revenue
Code (Code) applicable to the relevant years. Rule references are to the Tax Court
Rules of Practice and Procedure. We round dollar amounts to the nearest dollar.
                                        -3-

[*3]                                 Background

I.     Preliminaries

       We have derived the recitations listed in this background section primarily

from the undisputed portions of each party’s statement of the facts, as drawn from

the pleadings and other acceptable materials. We set forth all recitations solely for

purposes of deciding respondent’s motion and not as a finding of any fact. See

Sundstrand Corp. v. Commissioner, 

, 520 (1992), aff’d, 

(7th Cir. 1994). Absent stipulation to the contrary, an appeal of these cases will

lie to the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

II.    Nebivolol Agreements

       A.    2001 Agreement

       Mylan is a publicly traded corporation organized under the laws of the State

of Pennsylvania. Mylan, Inc., changed its name from Mylan Laboratories, Inc., to

Mylan, Inc., in October 2007. Mylan is a generic and specialty pharmaceutical

company headquartered in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.

       Before 2001 Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V. (Janssen), a corporation organized

under the laws of Belgium, patented a compound called nebivolol. Nebivolol is a

beta-blocker, a type of medicine used to treat hypertension and heart conditions

and as a part of migraine therapy.
                                        -4-

[*4] On February 21, 2001, Janssen and Mylan entered into the License

Agreement Concerning Nebivolol (2001 agreement) for exclusive rights to import,

use, and sell nebivolol, and to make, use, and sell products containing it within the

United States and Canada. According to the terms of the 2001 agreement, Mylan

held an exclusive license for the compound in the United States and Canada.

Janssen would manufacture nebivolol and sell it to Mylan in the quantities it

requested for a price determined by a formula set in the 2001 agreement. Mylan

was responsible for processing and packaging licensed nebivolol products, as well

as promoting, selling, and diligently marketing such products to obtain maximum

sales and meet sales performance targets. Mylan was also responsible for

compliance with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations and

obtaining its approvals for the nebivolol products. Specifically, Mylan

contemplated seeking approval for the use of nebivolol in treatment of

hypertension and congestive heart failure.

      The 2001 agreement required Mylan to make certain milestone payments,

including an upfront $2.5 million licensing fee, totaling up to $12 million. Mylan

had sole discretion to set prices for its nebivolol-containing products, and labeling

and promotional materials would bear Mylan’s name as a licensee, distributor,

and/or manufacturer of the licensed products.
                                         -5-

[*5] As a part of its license, Mylan could grant sublicenses with prior written

approval of Janssen. Article 2.1 of the 2001 agreement stated that Mylan would at

all times remain directly responsible to Janssen for all its obligations under the

2001 agreement should Mylan grant any sublicenses. Article 24.2 of the 2001

agreement also contemplated assignments, but expressly conditioned assignment

or other forms of disposition of the rights on prior written consent of the

nondisposing party. The term of the 2001 agreement was based on the duration of

the last to expire of the patents licensed under the agreement. After receiving the

license under the 2001 agreement, Mylan amortized it as an intangible asset using

a straight-line method.

      B.     2006 Agreement

      In 2005, after Mylan received FDA approval for the use of nebivolol for

hypertension treatment, the company sought potential partners for

commercialization of the compound. As a result, on January 6, 2006, Mylan and

Forest entered into the Nebivolol Development and Commercialization Agreement

(2006 agreement). Under the terms of the 2006 agreement, Mylan granted to

Forest an exclusive sublicense under the 2001 agreement, as well as an exclusive

license to some of its own know-how related to nebivolol products.
                                         -6-

[*6] Mylan continued to be involved in the commercialization of nebivolol

through participation in the Joint Development Committee established pursuant to

the 2006 agreement. Mylan also negotiated for the option to copromote Bystolic

(one of the nebivolol-containing medicines licensed under the 2001 agreement)

alongside Forest and the first option to launch an authorized generic. Forest and

Mylan worked out a noncompete agreement preventing both companies from

promoting other beta-blockers in the United States and Canada. Mylan remained

responsible for purchasing nebivolol from Jansen and importing it as well as

manufacturing nebivolol-containing products until Forest’s manufacturing plant

was ready for use.

      Mylan and Forest agreed that unless earlier terminated, the 2006 agreement

would continue in full force and effect until the parties cease to sell, develop, and

commercialize nebivolol-containing products in the United States and Canada. In

addition, the parties could terminate the 2006 agreement in case of a material

breach or bankruptcy of one of the parties. Forest reserved the right to terminate

the 2006 agreement upon delivery of notice to Mylan that it reasonably believed

that there were safety or efficacy issues with the product that were likely to

prevent or delay regulatory approval of the product in the United States or

negatively affect commercialization of nebivolol. In that case, the rights to
                                        -7-

[*7] nebivolol and any know-how developed by Forest under the 2006 agreement

would revert to Mylan. If the 2006 agreement were to terminate because of a

breach or bankruptcy, the nonbreaching party would have a perpetual, fully paid

license to all intellectual property covered by the 2006 agreement.

      To enter into the 2006 agreement, Mylan had to receive written approval

from Janssen under the terms of the 2001 agreement. Janssen granted approval for

a sublicense to Forest on the terms outlined in the 2006 agreement (Janssen

approval), but explicitly conditioned the approval on Mylan’s remaining fully

liable for the acts and omissions of Forest and Forest’s purchasing all of its

requirements for nebivolol from Mylan, which would in turn purchase them from

Janssen. Article 3 of the Janssen approval was entitled “Consent to Sublicense”

and read, in part: “(a) Janssen consents to a sublicense by Mylan to Forest of the

rights and licenses granted in Section 2.1 of the [2001 agreement].”

      In 2006 Mylan received a $75 million upfront payment as a part of the

consideration due under the 2006 agreement. In addition, Mylan was to receive

other milestone payments totaling $155 million. Forest would pay royalties to

Mylan calculated as a percentage of net sales, up to 45% if the aggregate net sales

exceed $1 billion. Mylan remained responsible for all payments due to Janssen

under the 2001 agreement.
                                          -8-

[*8] A clause in the 2006 agreement stated that the contract “shall be governed

and construed in accordance with the laws of the [S]tate of New York * * * as to

all matters, including, but not limited to matters of validity, construction, effect,

performance and remedies.” The 2006 agreement contained the following

additional clauses on interpretation and construction of the agreement:

      18.14.      Interpretation. The Parties acknowledge that this
      Agreement is a product of negotiations and that no inference should
      be drawn regarding the drafting or preparation of this Agreement.

      18.15.       Construction. The language used in this Agreement will
      be deemed to be the language chosen by the Parties to express their
      mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied
      against any party. * * *

      In 2008 Mylan entered into two closing agreements with the Internal

Revenue Service (IRS) under section 7121 to defer inclusion in income of the $75

million upfront payment and the $25 million hypertension treatment approval

milestone payment under provisions of Rev. Proc. 2004-34, 2004-1 C.B. 991,

which applies inter alia to advance payments received for the use, including by

license, of intellectual property.

      C.     2008 Amendment

      By 2008 Mylan needed additional cash to raise funds for corporate

acquisitions and maintain its credit rating. After considering the risks related to
                                         -9-

[*9] the future commercial success of nebivolol, Mylan approached Forest about

amending the 2006 agreement.

      On February 27, 2008, Mylan and Forest entered into an Amendment

Agreement to Nebivolol Development and Commercialization Agreement (2008

amendment). Under the terms of the 2008 amendment, Mylan gave up its rights to

participate in the future commercialization of nebivolol, including the right to

participate in the Joint Development Committee, participate in copromotion of

Bystolic, the option to launch a generic, and the right to inspect Forest’s facilities.

The 2008 amendment contained an optional right for Mylan to develop and

commercialize nebivolol on a coexclusive basis for the prevention of migraines.

Mylan also agreed to facilitate any negotiations between Forest and Janssen if it

became necessary, as well as to continue purchasing nebivolol from Janssen and

reselling it to Forest. For this role as a middleman, Mylan received 1% of the

amounts payable to Janssen in consideration for the continued supply of nebivolol.

Forest agreed to pay all of the amounts due to Janssen under the 2001 agreement

to Mylan, and Mylan would in turn transfer the payments to Janssen.

      The 2008 amendment did not alter the mutual rights of Janssen and Mylan

with respect to each other under the 2001 agreement and the Janssen approval.

Under the 2006 Janssen approval terms, Mylan remained responsible for all
                                       - 10 -

[*10] actions of Forest under the sublicense, and Janssen’s sole recourse for any

violation of the 2001 agreement was against Mylan. Mylan did not seek additional

approval from Janssen for the 2008 amendment.

      The 2008 amendment stated that the 2006 agreement remained in full force

and effect in accordance with its terms. Pursuant to their terms, the 2008

amendment should be construed together with the terms of the 2006 agreement as

a single agreement, provided that any inconsistent terms would be governed by the

terms of the 2008 amendment.

      The 2008 amendment did not alter the termination provisions of the 2006

agreement. Mylan retained the reversionary rights in the sublicense granted to

Forest in case of a material breach of contract or upon expiration of the term of the

2006 agreement.

      Pursuant to the 2008 amendment, Mylan received $370 million up front and

was entitled to two additional milestone payments of 5 million euro, each

conditioned on FDA approval for the use of nebivolol in the treatment of

congestive heart failure and the launch of commercial sales for that indication.

Forest also agreed to pay to Mylan royalties based on aggregate annual sales of the

nebivolol-containing products for three years after the 2008 amendment. The
                                       - 11 -

[*11] amended royalties schedule reduced the maximum rate of royalties to 25%

as compared to 45% under the 2006 agreement.

      Mylan treated the proceeds received from the 2008 amendment as proceeds

received from an installment sale of business property. On its Form 10-K, Annual

Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,

filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mylan stated that it

“sold” its rights to nebivolol. Forest issued a press release on February 27, 2008,

stating that it would “assume” Mylan’s commercial rights for Bystolic. Forest

reported on its Form 10-K that Mylan’s “commercial rights” in Bystolic were

“terminated” as a result of the 2008 amendment.

      D. Termination of the 2001 Agreement, 2006 Agreement, and 2008
         Amendment

      On March 30, 2012, Forest purchased from Janssen all the patents that were

subject to the 2001 agreement in exchange for $357 million. On the same date

Janssen, Forest, and Mylan executed a termination agreement pursuant to which

the 2001 agreement, the 2006 agreement, and the 2008 amendment were

terminated. Forest did not pay any additional consideration to Mylan in

connection with the 2012 termination agreement.
                                         - 12 -

[*12]                                 Discussion

I.      Legal Standard for Summary Judgment

        Either party may move for summary judgment on all or some of the legal

issues in dispute. See Rule 121(a). Summary judgment expedites litigation and

avoids unnecessary and expensive trials. See Craig v. Commissioner, 

, 259 (2002). Summary judgment may be granted with respect to all or any

part of the issues “if the pleadings, answers to interrogatories, depositions,

admissions, and any other acceptable materials, together with the affidavits or

declarations, if any, show that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact

and that a decision may be rendered as a matter of law.” Rule 121(b); Sundstrand

Corp. v. Commissioner, 

, 520 (1992), aff’d, 

(7th Cir.

1994). The moving party bears the burden of proving the absence of any genuine

issue of material fact, and factual inferences are drawn in a manner most favorable

to the party opposing summary judgment. See Craig v. Commissioner, 

. If there exists any reasonable doubt as to the facts at issue, the motion must

be denied. Sundstrand Corp. v. Commissioner, 

.

II.     Danielson Rule and Transfers of Intellectual Property

        First, we address the interplay between the Danielson rule, articulated in

Commissioner v. Danielson, 

, 775 (3d Cir. 1967), vacating and
                                         - 13 -

[*13] remanding 

(1965), and transfers of intellectual property.

Because these cases are appealable to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third

Circuit absent a stipulation of the parties to the contrary, we follow the precedent

of that court. Golsen v. Commissioner, 

, 757 (1970), aff’d, 

(1971).

      Respondent’s primary argument is that we should hold petitioners liable for

the Federal income tax deficiencies solely on the reading of the contracts between

Janssen, Mylan, and Forest under the Danielson rule.

      Petitioners cite two cases decided by the Court of Appeals for the Third

Circuit, Merck & Co. v. Smith, 

(3d Cir. 1958), and E.I. du Pont de

Nemours & Co. v. United States, 

(3d Cir. 1970), in which the Court

of Appeals held that the transfer of all substantial rights in a patent can result in a

disposition for tax purposes qualifying the transferor for capital gains tax

treatment while a transfer of anything less is called a license, with proceeds taxed

at ordinary income tax rates. In both cases the Court of Appeals examined not

only the terms of the contracts but also the intent of the parties and found that all

substantial rights were transferred. On the basis of these two cases, petitioners

invite us to decline to follow the Danielson holding in the current cases. For the
                                        - 14 -

[*14] reasons set forth below, we see Merck and E.I. du Pont de Nemours as

consistent or compatible with the Danielson rule.

      First, we examine the history and the facts of all three cases. The taxpayers

in Danielson sought to reform the terms of the contract they had entered into to

allocate the consideration between the price of the stock and the covenant not to

compete differently. In the Tax Court Opinion, this Court stated that it was not

bound by the form of the transaction and should examine its substance instead.

Danielson v. Commissioner, 

(citing Commissioner v. Court

Holding Co., 

(1945), and Gregory v. Helvering, 

(1935)). At the same time, the Court acknowledged that it did not take the terms

of the agreements lightly.

The Court then analyzed the contract at

issue in the light of the surrounding facts and held that the taxpayers had produced

the “strong proof” necessary to establish that the contractual allocation of the

purchase price did not reflect the agreement entered into by the parties.

Court of Appeals rejected the Tax Court’s reasoning and

adopted the following rule of law: “[A] party can challenge the tax consequences

of his agreement as construed by the Commissioner only by adducing proof which

in an action between the parties to the agreement would be admissible to alter that

construction or to show its unenforceability because of mistake, undue influence,
                                         - 15 -

[*15] fraud, duress, etc.” Commissioner v. 

. The Court

of Appeals reasoned that the trial courts are required to examine the substance of a

transaction in cases where the Commissioner attacks the formal agreement.

(citing Commissioner v. Court Holding Co., 

, and Gregory

v. Helvering, 

). At the same time, because taxpayers can control

what arrangements to make in the first place, there is no disparity in allowing only

the Commissioner to challenge the contract while requiring taxpayers to be bound

by the terms of their agreements.

Among the reasons cited in support

of the new rule, the Court of Appeals stated that taxpayers’ attacks on their own

agreements “would nullify the reasonably predictable tax consequences of the

agreement to the other party” and the Commissioner would be forced to litigate

against both parties to the agreement to collect taxes properly due.

of cases deals with interpretation of contracts related to

intellectual property. In Merck, a pre-Danielson case, the same Court of Appeals

held that a transfer of all of the substantial rights in a patent would qualify the

transferor for capital gains treatment, but a transfer of anything less is called a

license, with the proceeds subject to ordinary income tax rates. 

. The court noted that the terms of the agreement between the parties did

not preclude the taxpayer from claiming that the transaction was anything more
                                        - 16 -

[*16] than a license.

the parties was drafted as a license

but transferred the exclusive rights to make, use, and sell one of the claims for a

chemical compound within a patent. The Court of Appeals concluded that such an

agreement, despite being structured by the parties as a license, in fact was an

assignment of a patent which would qualify as a disposition of intangible property

for tax purposes.

      Another case, E.I. du Pont de Nemours, was decided post-Danielson and

dealt with an issue similar to that in Merck: whether a license agreement

assigning rights in certain patents should be treated as a disposition for tax

purposes. In that case the parties to the license agreement chose a specific legal

form for their arrangement because of Brazil’s antitrust regulations. The Court of

Appeals applied the same test it had used in Merck to the facts in E.I. du Pont de

Nemours, but clarified that to determine whether the parties transferred all of the

substantial rights, the court should look at whether the transferor retained any

rights which, in the aggregate, have substantial value. E.I. du Pont de 

. The Court of Appeals then determined that the agreement

between the parties should be interpreted as a transfer qualifying for capital gains

treatment.

The court further stated that the wording and precise
                                        - 17 -

[*17] terms of the agreements did not control the outcome so long as the

agreement transferred exclusive rights for the full life of the patent.

      Petitioners urge us to apply the holdings of Merck and E.I. du Pont de

Nemours in the current cases. Respondent argues that these holdings are

inconsistent with the holding in Danielson, as well as the holding of

Commissioner v. Nat’l Alfalfa Dehydrating & Milling Co., 417 U.S.134, 149

(1974) (affirming the principle that “while a taxpayer is free to organize his affairs

as he chooses, nevertheless, once having done so, he must accept the tax

consequences of his choice, whether contemplated or not”). Respondent suggests

we should forgo the analysis outlined in Merck and E.I. du Pont de Nemours and

decide these cases on the plain language of the contract under Danielson.

      We do not see the inconsistency here. In Danielson, a taxpayer sought to

change the tax consequences of a transaction by challenging the validity of the

underlying contract’s terms, specifically, allocation of consideration between the

sale of stock and the covenant not to compete, because the taxpayer believed these

terms did not reflect the agreement of the parties. In Merck and E.I. du Pont de

Nemours the taxpayers did not seek to alter or challenge the agreements in

question. Instead, the taxpayers disagreed with the Commissioner’s interpretation

of those contracts and characterization of the related payments for tax purposes.
                                       - 18 -

[*18] Here, unlike in Danielson, petitioners do not seek to change the tax

consequences of the transaction by challenging the underlying agreements and

reforming the contractual terms.2 On the record before us, the facts here resemble

those in Merck and E.I. du Pont de Nemours.3 The question presented here is a

question of proper tax characterization of the proceeds of valid and enforceable




      2
        When this Court was presented with similar arguments in Strutzel v.
Commissioner, 

, 976 (1973), the Court declined to follow the rule
articulated in Commissioner v. Danielson, 

(3d Cir. 1967), vacating
and remanding 

(1965), and explained as follows:

      The short answer to both of the above arguments is that neither
      the petitioners nor this Court is attempting to vary the terms of
      the written agreement; we are simply trying to determine the
      tax consequences that flow from the agreement entered into by
      the parties. In doing so we are not bound by the descriptive
      terminology used in the agreement if the clear substantive
      purport of the agreement, viewed as a whole, classifies the
      transaction differently than the labels used by the draftsman.
      ***
      3
        We note that Merck & Co. v. Smith, 

(3d Cir. 1958), and E.I.
du Pont de Nemours & Co. v. United States, 

(3d Cir. 1970), are
factually different from the cases here because the issue the Court of Appeals
addressed was whether a license contract in fact was an assignment of patent
rights giving rise to capital gains treatment of the proceeds. Here, we are dealing
with a transfer of rights in a license. Consequently, these cases are persuasive for
us but not binding under the Golsen rule. See Golsen v. Commissioner, 

, 756 (1970), aff’d, 

(10th Cir. 1971).
                                         - 19 -

[*19] contracts, and we are mindful that the Commissioner and taxpayers often

disagree on this issue.4

       Thus, bearing in mind the weight of the principles articulated in Danielson

and Nat’l Alfalfa Dehydrating & Milling Co., we decide first whether

interpretation of the contracts in question precludes the finding that, contrary to

respondent’s argument, there was a disposition of property taxable as capital

gains.5 In that regard, we find the reasoning of the Court of Appeals in Merck and

E.I. du Pont de Nemours persuasive, and we will use similar principles in

considering this motion for summary judgment.

III.   Contract Interpretation Principles

       The law of the State of New York, which governs the 2006 agreement and

the 2008 amendment, suggests the following principles applicable to contract

interpretation and construction. Under New York law, the cardinal rule in the

interpretation of contracts is that courts should ascertain the intent of the parties


       4
        To draw a parallel to taxation of real property transactions, we are dealing
with the issue similar to whether the agreements as drafted represent a sublease or
a lease assignment. See, e.g., Rochester Dev. Corp. v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo.
1977-307 (holding that a lease in form was actually a sale for income tax
purposes).
       5
        This Court has previously held that the sale of all the rights a taxpayer held
in a patent license may qualify for capital gains treatment. MacDonald v.
Commissioner, 

, 859 (1971).
                                        - 20 -

[*20] and give effect to it. See, e.g., Greenfield v. Philles Records, Inc., 

, 170 (N.Y. 2002). When parties set down their agreement in a clear,

complete, and unambiguous document, their writing should be enforced according

to the plain meaning of its terms. See id.; R/S Assocs. v. New York Job Dev.

Auth., 

, 242 (N.Y. 2002). When a contract is unambiguous, no

extrinsic evidence may be considered, and the interpretation of a contract presents

a question of law. 

. However, if the contract is

ambiguous or susceptible of more than one construction, courts may consider

extrinsic evidence to ascertain the intent of the parties, see

a court with a question of fact inappropriate to be resolved on a motion for

summary judgment, Leon v. Lukash, 

, 455 (App. Div. 1986).

IV.   Analysis of the 2006 Agreement and the 2008 Amendment

      The parties in these cases do not dispute that the 2006 agreement between

Mylan and Forest was a grant of a sublicense to the license rights Mylan had under

the 2001 agreement with Janssen. However, the parties dispute the effect of the

2008 amendment.

      Respondent took the position in the notice of deficiency and on brief that

the proceeds Mylan received under the 2008 amendment should be characterized

as royalties for the use of the sublicense taxed at ordinary income tax rates. On the
                                       - 21 -

[*21] basis of the plain language of the agreements, respondent argues that there

was no disposition of licensing rights under the 2008 amendment, and its effect

was just to accelerate license fees and royalty payments.

      Petitioners, in turn, argue that although the 2006 agreement was a grant of a

sublicense to Forest, the effect of the 2008 amendment was to terminate Mylan’s

commercial rights in nebivolol and transfer them to Forest. Petitioners contend

that Mylan retained only certain ministerial functions under the 2008 amendment

related to performance of its obligations under the 2001 agreement with Janssen.

Thus, petitioners argue, there was a disposition of intellectual property which

should qualify for capital gains treatment because Mylan sold substantially all of

its rights in nebivolol under the 2001 agreement.

      As a preliminary matter, we observe that the 2001 agreement did not

preclude Mylan’s completely disposing of its rights in nebivolol by assigning

those rights to a third party.

      We agree with the parties that the 2006 agreement was a grant of a

sublicense. Many factors support this conclusion. First, the parties to the 2006

agreement chose to structure it as a grant of an “exclusive sublicense” to Forest.

Second, Mylan obtained a written consent from Janssen to a grant of the

sublicense under the 2001 agreement, not an assignment. Mylan retained
                                         - 22 -

[*22] significant rights related to nebivolol, including the right to participate in the

joint development committee and control major decisions related to the

commercial use of nebivolol. Mylan remained responsible for purchasing the

compound from Janssen, importing it, and making all of the required payments

under the 2001 agreement. Mylan was also responsible for production of the

nebivolol-containing products in the United States and Canada during the period

necessary for Forest to get its own production facilities up and running.

      Another important factor that indicates that the 2006 agreement was a

sublicense, not an assignment, is the term of the agreement and termination

provisions. While the original license to nebivolol under the 2001 agreement

expired only when the last of the patents under the license expired, the 2006

agreement was to remain in effect until Mylan and Forest ceased to sell, develop

and commercialize nebivolol-containing products in the United States or Canada.

Forest retained a right to terminate the 2006 agreement at any time if it reasonably

believed that safety or efficacy issues were likely to negatively affect regulatory

approvals or commercial use of the nebivolol-containing products.

      Overall, the 2006 agreement seems to be a product of careful negotiations

between Mylan and Forest and is consistent with the intent of the parties at the

time as described in petitioners’ filings. The 2008 closing agreements between
                                         - 23 -

[*23] Mylan and the IRS also seem to be consistent with this interpretation

because they defer inclusion in income of payments from Forest as payments for

the use (including under a license) of intellectual property.6

      Our reading of the 2008 amendment, however, paints a different picture.

Respondent suggests that we ignore any extrinsic evidence and interpret the 2008

amendment by looking only at its plain language. Respondent argues that because

Mylan and Forest, two publicly traded corporations, did not structure the 2008

amendment as an assignment or disposition of license rights and did not request

additional approvals for such an assignment from Janssen, they must have

intended the transaction to merely accelerate the payments under the 2006

agreement without changing its nature as a sublicense.

      Petitioners’ arguments, however, point us to a conclusion that the 2008

amendment is not so unambiguous as respondent wants us to think. First,

petitioners point out in their briefs and affidavits filed in support thereof that in the

pharmaceutical industry terms such as “exclusive license” or “exclusive

sublicense” often indicate a disposition of intellectual property when coupled with


      6
       We note that the 2008 closing agreements between Mylan and the IRS
covered only two payments received by Mylan under 2006 agreement: the $75
million upfront payment and a $25 million hypertension treatment approval
payment.
                                         - 24 -

[*24] a transfer of substantially all rights in such property. See, e.g., E.I. du Pont

de Nemours, 

; Merck, 

. We also observe that the 2008

amendment indeed transferred additional rights to nebivolol to Forest, to the

exclusion of Mylan. This makes the 2006 agreement, as amended, ambiguous on

its face because the plain language of the contract is susceptible to more than one

interpretation. See 

.

      When the terms of a contract are ambiguous, we look to extrinsic evidence

to ascertain the intent of the parties. See

the facts in the

light favorable to petitioners as the party opposing the motion for summary

judgment. See Craig v. Commissioner, 

. Petitioners state that by

the time of the 2008 amendment, Mylan had significant business reasons to sell its

rights in nebivolol. Specifically, Mylan needed cash after acquiring another

company and wanted to limit its risk with respect to the future success of

nebivolol. Both Mylan and Forest indicated in their press releases and the filings

with the SEC that Mylan’s commercial rights with respect to nebivolol were

terminated by the 2008 amendment.

      Petitioner also asserts that any remaining rights Mylan may have had under

the 2006 agreement, as amended, were of no substantial value to Mylan, thus

satisfying the test for a disposition outlined by the Court of Appeals in E.I. du Pont
                                       - 25 -

[*25] de Nemours. There are, however, many unanswered questions that preclude

resolving the issue of whether Mylan disposed of its rights in nebivolol in 2008 or

in 2012 when Janssen, Forest, and Mylan executed the termination agreement with

respect to the 2001 agreement and 2006 agreement, as amended. Because there

are substantial unresolved questions of fact in these cases, respondent’s motion for

summary judgment will be denied.

V.    Conclusion

      For the reasons set forth above, respondent’s motion will be denied.


                                                An appropriate order will be issued.