A class action litigation alleged and the states investigated claims that GlaxoSmithKline fraudulently obtained patent protection for Augmentin and unlawfully excluded generic competition through sham patent litigation against generic manufacturers. Through this conduct, GlaxoSmithKline unlawfully maintained its monopoly over Augmentin. The delay in final approval by applications of generic drug manufacturers forced governmental entities to pay more for Amoxicillin/clavulante potassium-based products. A $3.5 million multistate settlement was entered into by the participating states and GlaxoSmithKline.