JSTE's Response to JFT Regarding Debt Situation: False Allegations, Litigation Underway

Business by 2FIRSTS
Jun.06.2024
JSTE's Response to JFT Regarding Debt Situation: False Allegations, Litigation Underway
JSTE Technology Mr. Liu De Wen responds to JFT's creditor letter, claiming it contains falsehoods. The full statement follows.

On June 6th at noon, Mr. Liu Dewen, the head of JSTE Electronic Technology (Dongguan) Co., Ltd., publicly responded to the "Letter to Creditors" released by JFT, stating that the letter contained falsehoods.

 

The complete response is as follows:

 

JFT Company confirmed in a December 2021 email that they had acquired a 50% stake in our JSTE factory, but they suddenly changed their minds in September 2022 and decided to sell their stake instead of acquiring it. They officially exited JSTE in January 2023 and received a significant amount of money from the stock transfer.

During the equity exit process, JFT company confirmed the value of over 60 million worth of JUSTFOG brand e-cigarettes under the original processing agreement, but they have been delaying payment and not taking delivery. After several months of dragging their feet, they suddenly notified of the termination of the processing partnership, leaving Jest in a difficult situation.

 

However, the European agents of JFT company continue to authorize domestic licensed trading companies to request small batches of JUSTFOG branded e-cigarettes for sale. Unfortunately, this led to a criminal charge of trademark infringement by JFT, claiming that the e-cigarettes produced under the original agreement were unauthorized. The malicious intent behind this action is surprising, and this absurdity cannot be justified. Jast company reserves the right to hold the criminal plaintiff accountable for their legal responsibility.

 

Subsequently, Jast Company employed legal methods such as litigation and arbitration to seek compensation, and successfully obtained an injunction to preserve JFT Company’s registered trademarks (such as JUSTFOG) in China, as well as its fully-owned subsidiary’s bank accounts and patents related to the e-cigarette business in China. The breach of contract case is scheduled to be heard in the near future.

 

At the same time, Gest also filed a patent confirmation lawsuit to the court. During the cooperation between both parties, JFT appointed a research and development manager who established a labor relationship with Gest, and transferred numerous patents to its wholly-owned subsidiary, severely infringing on Gest's rights.

 

As a leading media and think tank in the field of atomization technology, 2FIRSTS closely monitors the latest developments on this issue and maintains contact with various parties.


 

Click on the image to read: "Vape Debt Risk: How can the operational difficulties of a single company affect the entire industry chain?"

 

JSTE's Response to JFT Regarding Debt Situation: False Allegations, Litigation Underway

 

Click on the image to read: JSTE Electronic Technology (Dongguan) Co., Ltd. Announces Liquidation

 

JSTE's Response to JFT Regarding Debt Situation: False Allegations, Litigation Underway
Click on the image to read: JSTE Electronic Technology (Dongguan) Co., Ltd. Announces Liquidation

 

Click on the image to read: "JUSTFOG Official Response: JSTE's Liquidation is for Self-Protection after Serious Violations".

 

JSTE's Response to JFT Regarding Debt Situation: False Allegations, Litigation Underway
Click on the image to read: "JUSTFOG Official Response: JSTE's Liquidation is for Self-Protection after Serious Violations"

 

 

 

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

IKE Tech Launches IKE 2.0 Compliance Platform for Nicotine Products
IKE Tech Launches IKE 2.0 Compliance Platform for Nicotine Products
IKE Tech launched IKE 2.0 on September 28, initially targeting nicotine products with a platform that combines user identity verification, product authentication, configurable policy controls and data analytics. Products can be authenticated through direct device integration or NFC smart tags. IKE Tech was formed with participation from Ispire's Aspire North America, Berify and Chemular, with Ispire currently holding a 40% interest. Its age-verification component PMTA was accepted by the FDA in 2025 and remains under review. The company did not disclose customer names, commercial deployment volumes, pricing or revenue tied to IKE 2.0.
News
Sep.29 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Special Report | From Oversupply to Supply Gaps: Global Tobacco Leaf Markets Diverge Ahead of 2027
Special Report | From Oversupply to Supply Gaps: Global Tobacco Leaf Markets Diverge Ahead of 2027
Global tobacco leaf markets diverged sharply in 2026, with India cutting authorised FCV production amid oversupply while Malawi faced a supply shortfall. U.S. demand improved in some leaf categories, but growers in Brazil, Colombia, Tanzania and Zimbabwe faced pressure from prices, buyer access, costs and weather. With nicotine consumption patterns also shifting, 2027 will test whether supply, demand and grower profitability can move back toward balance.
Oct.26
South Korea's Tobacco Plan Excludes 6-Methyl Nicotine as Customs Tightens Import Controls and Analog Liquid Imports Fall 83%
South Korea's Tobacco Plan Excludes 6-Methyl Nicotine as Customs Tightens Import Controls and Analog Liquid Imports Fall 83%
South Korea's government unveiled its first Tobacco Harm Management Basic Plan for 2027–2031 on October 29, 2026, proposing broader testing of vaping and heated tobacco products while excluding nicotine analogs such as 6-methyl nicotine. Synthetic nicotine came under tobacco regulation on April 24, and a June investigation found 6-methyl nicotine in 12 liquid inhalation products marketed as nicotine-free. Customs data released in September showed that imports of nicotine analog solutions fell 83.3%, from 12 metric tons in January–April to 2 metric tons in May–August. By September 20, imports had reached approximately 15 metric tons for the year, with 99.99% originating from China. Customs authorities have tightened pre-clearance testing and supply-chain documentation requirements, while the MFDS expects to complete its assessment of nicotine analog hazards by the end of 2026.
Regulations
Nov.04
Product | PMI Launches TEREA Black Mint Pearl in Japan, Adding First Capsule Variant to Black Range With Nationwide Rollout From October 19
Product | PMI Launches TEREA Black Mint Pearl in Japan, Adding First Capsule Variant to Black Range With Nationwide Rollout From October 19
Philip Morris Japan (PMJ) launched TEREA Black Mint Pearl on October 15, 2026, introducing the first capsule-equipped heated tobacco stick in the TEREA Black range for IQOS ILUMA devices. The product combines a strong menthol profile with a crushable mint capsule and is priced at ¥640 per 20-stick pack, including tax. Sales began at four IQOS stores and selected retail partners on October 15, with distribution expanding to convenience stores and other tobacco retailers nationwide from October 19. The launch brings Japan's TEREA portfolio to 28 variants, including 21 menthol-related products, or 75% of the range.
product
Oct.16 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Swedish Match Faces Broader Labeling Order After ZYN Inspection, Documents Obtained by 2Firsts Show
Swedish Match Faces Broader Labeling Order After ZYN Inspection, Documents Obtained by 2Firsts Show
Documents obtained by 2Firsts show that Sweden's Public Health Agency ordered Swedish Match to revise ingredient labels beyond the five ZYN products inspected. The dispute centers on whether flavoring ingredients must be individually disclosed, with Swedish Match citing trade-secret protection and the regulator insisting on full ingredient disclosure. The company faces a conditional penalty of SEK 2 million per month for noncompliance. As of October 22, the agency had received no appeal, despite the company's stated intention to challenge the decision.
Oct.22
Latest UK ONS Data: 54% of Vapers Are Former Cigarette Smokers, 26% Also Smoke and 20% Never Smoked Regularly
Latest UK ONS Data: 54% of Vapers Are Former Cigarette Smokers, 26% Also Smoke and 20% Never Smoked Regularly
Former cigarette smokers accounted for an estimated 54% of current e-cigarette users in Great Britain in 2025, while 26% also smoked cigarettes and 20% had never regularly smoked, according to a 2Firsts analysis of Office for National Statistics (ONS) data. Among former cigarette smokers who currently vape, approximately 81% used e-cigarettes daily, compared with about 50% of dual users. The ONS found that 33.8% of current cigarette smokers also vaped in 2025, up from 10.6% in 2014. Approximately 1.1 million adults who had never regularly smoked cigarettes used e-cigarettes, representing 2.9% of that population, compared with 0.2% in 2014. The figures highlight differences in the composition, frequency of use and long-term trends across Britain's vaping population.
DATA
Oct.14