sham exception
sham exception. An exception to the Noerr–Pennington doctrine whereby a company that petitions the government will not receive First Amendment protection or an exemption from the antitrust laws if its intent in petitioning the government is really an effort to harm its competitors rather than to obtain favorable governmental action. See NOERR–PENNINGTON DOCTRINE; sham action under ACTION(4). [Cases: Monopolies 12(16.5). C.J.S. Monopolies § 144.]