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

Iowa Enforces Vape Registry Law as Retailers Warn Product Limits Could Increase Store Pressure
Iowa Enforces Vape Registry Law as Retailers Warn Product Limits Could Increase Store Pressure
Iowa has begun enforcing its vape registry law, requiring vape products to be registered before they can be legally sold in the state. The move follows a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit to lift an injunction that had blocked enforcement. Retailers have warned that tighter product availability rules could increase pressure on vape shops. One Iowa retailer said that if only a limited number of products remain available, many stores could face significant business challenges.
Aug.06
Product | FOGER Introduces Switch Pro 30K Nixodine Pod in U.S. Retail, Bringing 6-MN Related Formulation to High-Capacity Pod Platform
Product | FOGER Introduces Switch Pro 30K Nixodine Pod in U.S. Retail, Bringing 6-MN Related Formulation to High-Capacity Pod Platform
FOGER has introduced the Switch Pro 30K Nixodine Pod in U.S. retail channels, bringing a 6-methylnicotine (6-MN)-related formulation into its reusable Switch Pro 30K pod ecosystem. The product retains the existing reusable dock and magnetic replacement pod architecture, featuring a 19ml prefilled pod, dual-mesh heating and Normal/Boost modes. The Nixodine version is labeled nicotine-free in terms of conventional nicotine but uses a 5% Nixodine-related formulation. The product has appeared in U.S. retail and wholesale channels, with some listings indicating Kentucky-only availability.
Aug.28
Hunan China Tobacco Industry files heated tobacco device patent featuring adult-user identification through pressure sensing
Hunan China Tobacco Industry files heated tobacco device patent featuring adult-user identification through pressure sensing
China-based Hunan China Tobacco Industry Co., Ltd. and Shenzhen Baisha Technology Co., Ltd. have filed a patent application covering an adult-user identification mechanism for heated tobacco devices. The patent proposes using flexible pressure sensors installed in the device grip area to collect pressure distribution patterns generated when users hold the device. The system evaluates factors including effective contact area, grip shape and contact duration, and combines roller movement detection to determine whether unlocking conditions are met. The filing reflects exploration of device-level user recognition and smarter interaction technologies for heated tobacco products (HTPs).
Aug.05
IQOS Global Flagship Space to Open in Tokyo Ginza as PMI Expands Consumer Experience Strategy
IQOS Global Flagship Space to Open in Tokyo Ginza as PMI Expands Consumer Experience Strategy
Philip Morris Japan (PMJ) announced that it will open “IQOS Flagship Ginza” in Tokyo on September 4, 2026. The location will become the first global flagship space for PMI’s IQOS brand. PMJ said the venue will target adult smokers aged 20 and above and combine product experiences, community engagement and local cultural elements. The design will incorporate Japanese natural aesthetics and traditional craftsmanship. The launch reflects PMI’s broader strategy of strengthening consumer engagement through experiential retail and brand spaces. The existing IQOS Store Ginza is scheduled to close on August 30, 2026.
Jul.21
JAMA Issues First U.S. Clinical Guidance on Vaping for Smoking Cessation, Urging Complete Switch From Cigarettes
JAMA Issues First U.S. Clinical Guidance on Vaping for Smoking Cessation, Urging Complete Switch From Cigarettes
JAMA has published a Special Communication offering systematic recommendations for U.S.-based clinicians on the use of nicotine e-cigarettes in adult smoking cessation. Developed by the Harm Reduction Workgroup of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco’s Treatment Research Network, the paper recommends including e-cigarettes alongside FDA-approved cessation medications in risk-benefit discussions. It cites high-certainty evidence that nicotine e-cigarettes achieve higher quit rates than nicotine replacement therapy and evidence suggesting efficacy comparable to highly effective medications such as varenicline and cytisine. For adults who choose vaping to quit, the authors recommend FDA-authorized products, sufficient nicotine delivery and a rapid, complete transition away from cigarettes rather than prolonged dual use.
Aug.13
BAT New Categories Revenue Rises 18% in H1 2026 as Broad Portfolio Offers More Ways to Win—and Lose
BAT New Categories Revenue Rises 18% in H1 2026 as Broad Portfolio Offers More Ways to Win—and Lose
British American Tobacco’s New Category revenue rose 18% at constant rates in the first half of 2026. Nicotine-pouch brand Velo expanded rapidly, while Vuse recovered as U.S. enforcement against illicit e-vapor products strengthened. Heated-tobacco platform glo remained under pressure, and cigarettes continued to provide most of the group’s profit and cash. Compared with PMI and JT, BAT has more routes to growth—but also greater regulatory, investment and execution risks across its broader portfolio.
BAT
Jul.30