Federal Judge Rejects PMI's Request to Ban Vuse Sales

Apr.11.2023
Federal Judge Rejects PMI's Request to Ban Vuse Sales
US judge denies PMI's request to ban Reynolds from selling Vuse e-cigarettes, orders patent fees instead.

On April 10th, a federal judge in Virginia rejected PMI's request for a permanent injunction to prevent Reynolds from selling Vuse e-cigarettes, as PMI alleges Reynolds has infringed upon its patent.


The judge stated in their ruling that prohibiting electronic smoking devices would harm public health.


Renault must pay PMI patent fees.


Judge Leonie Brinkema in the Eastern District of Virginia has ordered Renault to pay patent royalties of 1.8% of net sales for infringing on patents used in Vuse Altopod, and 2.2% of net sales for infringing on patents used in Vuse Solo G2pod.


The patent fee will be enforced throughout the remaining term of the patent and paid on a quarterly basis.


PMI has stated that if the permanent ban is not approved, they will request a patent fee of 33.5% for Altopod and 3.75% for Solo G2pod.


These patent fees are additional costs awarded by a jury ruling in 2022, totaling $10.91 million for Alto's infringement and $3.16 million for Solo G2's infringement.


According to Nielsen's latest convenience store sales report for tobacco products, Vuse is the best-selling brand with a market share of 42.2%, followed by Juul with 26.1%.


Reference materials/sources:


A judge has ruled that Reynolds is permitted to continue selling their product, Vuse.


This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

Legal Analysis: Why SKE Lost the “CRYSTAL BAR” Trademark Case and Key Takeaways
Legal Analysis: Why SKE Lost the “CRYSTAL BAR” Trademark Case and Key Takeaways
Attorney Liu Peiling analyzed SKE’s loss in the “CRYSTAL BAR” trademark case, highlighting the UK’s “first-to-file” principle and common pitfalls in Chinese firms’ overseas IP strategies, such as delayed registration and weak evidence. She urged Chinese brands to plan trademark filings early and improve evidence retention to avoid disputes and protect their rights.
Jul.07 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Malaysia Urged to Act as Teen E-cigarette Use Rises
Malaysia Urged to Act as Teen E-cigarette Use Rises
As youth vaping continues to rise in Malaysia, the Malaysian Thoracic Society and the Lung Foundation are urging the government to immediately enforce the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024. Experts warn that many e-cigarettes are designed to resemble toys, candies or USB drives, making them highly appealing to teenagers and potentially acting as a gateway to drug use.
May.20 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Ireland Seizes Nearly 10 Million Illegal Cigarettes at Dublin Port, Worth €9 Million
Ireland Seizes Nearly 10 Million Illegal Cigarettes at Dublin Port, Worth €9 Million
Customs officers at Ireland’s Dublin Port have seized nearly 10 million illegal cigarettes, with an estimated value of €9 million. The brands involved include Marlboro Gold, Richmond Blue, and Marlboro Red. Authorities say the haul could have cost the state over €7 million in lost tax revenue.
May.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Reuters:How middlemen funnel illegal Chinese vapes into the United States
Reuters:How middlemen funnel illegal Chinese vapes into the United States
A Reuters investigation reveals that a Chicago-based customs brokerage company monopolized 60% of the U.S.-China e-cigarette logistics over four years, importing millions of unauthorized Chinese e-cigarettes annually. Despite the FDA seizing illegal products worth $136 million, the supply chain continues to operate through methods such as false declarations.
Jun.23
South Korea's Low Solid Nicotine Tax Draws Criticized for "Ultra-Low Tax Rate" Advantage
South Korea's Low Solid Nicotine Tax Draws Criticized for "Ultra-Low Tax Rate" Advantage
In South Korea, solid nicotine vapes are taxed based solely on nicotine weight, resulting in significantly lower tax burdens compared to liquid-based products. This has sparked debate over tax fairness, with experts calling for swift regulatory revisions to prevent market distortions and weakened policy effectiveness.
May.14 by 2FIRSTS.ai
WHO: Global Smoking Rate Down By One-Third Since Tobacco Control Treaty Took Effect 20 Years Ago
WHO: Global Smoking Rate Down By One-Third Since Tobacco Control Treaty Took Effect 20 Years Ago
WHO chief Tedros said at the 78th World Health Assembly that global smoking rates have fallen by one-third since the tobacco control treaty took effect 20 years ago, preventing up to 300 million new smokers. He called for stronger regulation of e-cigarettes and new tobacco products.
May.20 by 2FIRSTS.ai