ELFBAR & LOST MARY Unite to Combat Counterfeit: 50K+ Counterfeit Vapes Seized Globally, 30+ Lawsuits Filed

Apr.25.2025
ELFBAR & LOST MARY Unite to Combat Counterfeit: 50K+ Counterfeit Vapes Seized Globally, 30+ Lawsuits Filed
E-cigarette brands ELFBAR and LOST MARY revealed that joint anti-counterfeiting operations in countries including the Czech Republic, Germany, and Russia have led to the seizure of over 50,000 counterfeit vaping products. Additionally, since 2024, the companies have filed more than 30 civil lawsuits against counterfeiters in regions spanning the Chinese mainland, Germany, Russia, and other markets.

Key points:

1.The e-cigarette brands ELFBAR and LOST MARY have collaborated with law enforcement agencies worldwide in the past few months to seize at least 50,000 counterfeit products.

 

2.Since 2024, more than 30 intellectual property lawsuits have been filed in countries such as China, Germany, and Russia.

 

3.On April 9, 2025, a German court ruled that the "ELFPRO" trademark infringed upon the trademark rights of ELFBAR.


According to a report by Reuters on April 24, 2025, e-cigarette brands ELFBAR and LOST MARY stated that they have conducted a joint anti-counterfeiting operation in markets such as the Czech Republic, Germany, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, and the UAE over the past few months, seizing over 50,000 counterfeit products.

 

The report mentioned that in a cross-border law enforcement operation in the border area between Germany and the Czech Republic, more than 30 retailers were found selling counterfeit ELFBA e-cigarettes.

 

LFBAR and LOST MARY stated that they are continuously using legal means, including filing lawsuits, arbitration, and demanding platforms to take down infringing products, to combat intellectual property infringement.

 

Since 2024, ELFBAR and LOST MARY have initiated over 30 civil lawsuits in mainland China, Germany, Russia, and other locations. On April 9, 2025, a German court ruled that the "ELFPRO" trademark infringed upon ELFBAR's trademark rights and could potentially lead to consumer confusion.

 

In addition, the two brands have resolved 119 domain name disputes through arbitration, and have won cases in both the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre and the World Intellectual Property Organization. Nearly 300 suspected infringing webpage links have been successfully removed globally, including the closure of two counterfeit websites and eight links selling infringing products in the United States.

 

The anti-counterfeiting operation of ELFBAR and LOST MARY was launched in June 2021. The brand said they continue to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in various countries to jointly combat counterfeit products.

 

According to reports, ELFBAR and LOST MARY assisted law enforcement in shutting down 15 factories suspected of producing counterfeit products in 2024, and seized over 90,000 counterfeit e-cigarettes. In June 2024, Vietnamese law enforcement agencies conducted a joint raid after coordinating with them, seizing over 160,000 e-cigarettes, including a large quantity of counterfeit LOST MARY products.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

GAO Audit Finds Nearly 132,000 FDA Tobacco Applications Waiting an Average 1,266 Days as Nicotine Pouch Pilot Practices Move Into Vape PMTA Reviews
GAO Audit Finds Nearly 132,000 FDA Tobacco Applications Waiting an Average 1,266 Days as Nicotine Pouch Pilot Practices Move Into Vape PMTA Reviews
A U.S. Government Accountability Office audit found that 131,915 tobacco product applications submitted to the FDA since 2018 remained without a final review as of December 31, 2025, with pending applications waiting an average of 1,266 days. GAO also found FDA lacks the data needed to systematically determine whether scientific reviews meet applicable timelines. HHS agreed to upgrade the agency's tracking systems. At the same time, FDA has begun applying lessons from its nicotine pouch PMTA pilot to e-cigarette reviews, while changes to enforcement policy and electronic submissions are making the specific stage of a PMTA increasingly relevant to market access.
FDA
Oct.03
Product | Philip Morris Japan Teams Up With Renowned French Audio Brand DEVIALET for Limited-Edition IQOS Priced 60% Above Standard Model
Product | Philip Morris Japan Teams Up With Renowned French Audio Brand DEVIALET for Limited-Edition IQOS Priced 60% Above Standard Model
Philip Morris Japan (PMJ) launched the limited-edition IQOS ILUMA i PRIME Soundsorial Model in collaboration with French audio brand DEVIALET on October 1, 2026. Featuring sound-wave patterns, a silver-and-black finish and a gradient holder, the heated tobacco device is priced at JPY 15,980, including tax, and is available at four IQOS stores in Japan. According to Japanese media citing a PMJ representative, about 1,900 units were allocated to the Japanese retail market. A separate Soundsorial Collection, combining the device with DEVIALET Gemini II earbuds, includes 440 sets allocated to Japan for a membership prize draw.
product
Oct.23
2Firsts On-Site | PMI Brings IQOS, ZYN, VEEV and Marlboro Together at Its “Boulevard” at InterTabac 2026
2Firsts On-Site | PMI Brings IQOS, ZYN, VEEV and Marlboro Together at Its “Boulevard” at InterTabac 2026
At InterTabac 2026 in Dortmund, PMI is presenting multiple brands and products along “The PMI Boulevard,” including IQOS, ZYN, VEEV and Marlboro. On-site images captured by 2Firsts show dedicated spaces including the IQOS Boutique, ZYN Café, PMI Gallery and Marlboro Office
Market
Sep.16 by 2Firsts Perspectives
UK Extends Age-18 Rules to Zero-Nicotine Vapes and Nicotine Pouches From Oct. 29, Bans Vending Machines and Promotional Giveaways
UK Extends Age-18 Rules to Zero-Nicotine Vapes and Nicotine Pouches From Oct. 29, Bans Vending Machines and Promotional Giveaways
Key provisions of the UK's Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 will take effect on Oct. 29, extending an age-18 sales restriction to all vaping and non-medicinal nicotine products. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the change brings zero-nicotine vapes within statutory age-of-sale rules and also covers products including nicotine pouches, strips and pearls. The law will also prohibit proxy purchasing for under-18s, consumer-facing vending machines, promotional giveaways and substantial discounts intended to promote vaping and nicotine products.
Regulations
Oct.10
UK ONS Data: Vaping Rate Among Women Aged 25–34 Reaches 18.3%, Compared With 14.4% for Men
UK ONS Data: Vaping Rate Among Women Aged 25–34 Reaches 18.3%, Compared With 14.4% for Men
The vaping rate among women aged 25 to 34 in Great Britain reached 18.3% in 2025, up from 13.7% in 2024 and 8.3% in 2020, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The figure was the highest for this group since records began in 2014 and exceeded the 14.4% recorded among men of the same age. Adults aged 25 to 34 also overtook those aged 16 to 24 as the age group with the highest vaping prevalence. Overall, about 5.4 million adults in Great Britain used e-cigarettes in 2025, broadly unchanged from the previous year.
DATA
Oct.13
JAMA Study: U.S. Vape Directories Fail to Sustainably Curb Unlisted Sales as Product Shifts May Redistribute Brand Share 2Firsts Recommended
JAMA Study: U.S. Vape Directories Fail to Sustainably Curb Unlisted Sales as Product Shifts May Redistribute Brand Share 2Firsts Recommended
A study by CDC Foundation researchers found no sustained decline in e-cigarette sales across Alabama, Oklahoma and Louisiana, the first three U.S. states to implement e-cigarette directory laws. Louisiana initially saw a significant sales decline, followed by a rebound and a persistent reduction in product availability. Sales also shifted from nontobacco-flavored disposables toward prefilled cartridges, with Vuse Alto driving much of the increase in menthol cartridges. By April 2025, unlisted products still accounted for more than half of e-cigarette nicotine sales in all three states.
Sep.18