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

PMI Oral Products Chief Says Lack of Rules May Push Nicotine Pouch Market Into Illicit Trade
PMI Oral Products Chief Says Lack of Rules May Push Nicotine Pouch Market Into Illicit Trade
Nick Ricketts, President of Oral Products at Philip Morris International (PMI), told Logos Press that nicotine pouches should be brought under clear regulatory frameworks covering nicotine limits, flavor rules, age verification, sales controls and marketing standards, arguing that the absence of clear rules or blanket bans may push consumer demand into illegal or semi-legal channels.
Jul.06
As FDA Reshapes PMTA Reviews and ENDS Enforcement Priorities, CTP Acting Director Bret Koplow to Keynote NATO Event for a Retail Network of 66,000-Plus Stores
As FDA Reshapes PMTA Reviews and ENDS Enforcement Priorities, CTP Acting Director Bret Koplow to Keynote NATO Event for a Retail Network of 66,000-Plus Stores
Bret Koplow, acting director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Tobacco Products, will deliver a keynote and participate in a fireside chat at the National Association of Tobacco Outlets' Sept. 29-30 conference in Washington. His appearance comes months after the FDA moved to accelerate PMTA reviews and introduced a more differentiated enforcement policy for certain unauthorized ENDS and oral nicotine pouch products. The agency also plans a public list identifying manufacturers and products it does not currently intend to prioritize for enforcement under the May guidance. NATO says its membership includes more than 66,000 retail stores, making product-status transparency and enforcement boundaries directly relevant to the retail sector.
Aug.14
Product | JT Launches Ploom AURA Glacier White in Japan, Expanding the Device Ecosystem Through Color and Accessories
Product | JT Launches Ploom AURA Glacier White in Japan, Expanding the Device Ecosystem Through Color and Accessories
Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) has introduced the Ploom AURA Glacier White heated tobacco device in Japan, adding a new color option to the existing Ploom AURA lineup. The device maintains the existing SMART HEATFLOW technology and HEAT SELECT SYSTEM with four heating modes, while expanding the ecosystem through new accessories including front panels, back covers, a car holder and wireless charging covers. The product entered pre-sale in Japan on June 30, 2026, followed by broader retail availability from July 7.
Aug.03
China’s Jinhua Tobacco Launches CNY 2.7 Million Procurement for E-Cigarette Violation Lead Monitoring Services
China’s Jinhua Tobacco Launches CNY 2.7 Million Procurement for E-Cigarette Violation Lead Monitoring Services
Jinhua Tobacco, a municipal tobacco company in China’s Zhejiang province, has launched a public tender for e-cigarette-related violation lead monitoring and consulting services. The project is valued at CNY 2.7 million and covers data resource integration and analytical consulting services for 36 months from contract signing. The procurement reflects the use of external data and analysis services to support local tobacco companies’ market oversight activities related to e-cigarettes.
Aug.07
BAT Regional Director Fred Monteiro Supports Spain’s Nicotine Rules but Opposes 0.99mg Nicotine Pouch Limit
BAT Regional Director Fred Monteiro Supports Spain’s Nicotine Rules but Opposes 0.99mg Nicotine Pouch Limit
Spanish newspaper El Confidencial interviewed Fred Monteiro, Regional Director for Americas and Europe at British American Tobacco (BAT). Monteiro said BAT supports setting regulatory limits for nicotine products but opposes Spain’s proposed 0.99mg nicotine-per-pouch limit, arguing that such a restriction could affect adult smokers’ transition to alternatives. He said nicotine regulation should be based on scientific evidence and harm reduction principles. Monteiro also said smoke-free products now account for around 25% of BAT’s Americas and Europe business and nearly 30% of its Europe business
BAT
Jul.30
From a 2017 Launch to 48% of South Korea’s Heated Tobacco Market, KT&G Looks Back on a Decade of lil
From a 2017 Launch to 48% of South Korea’s Heated Tobacco Market, KT&G Looks Back on a Decade of lil
KT&G announced on Aug. 13, 2026, that it has opened “lil Archive,” a brand exhibition space in Seoul showcasing the evolution, technology platforms and future direction of its heated tobacco brand lil since its launch in 2017. KT&G said lil now spans three major platforms — lil SOLID, lil HYBRID and lil AIBLE — with more than 30 dedicated consumables, and held a 48% share of South Korea's heated tobacco market in the second quarter of 2026. The opening comes as lil enters its 10th year, with KT&G continuing to position the brand for expansion beyond its domestic market.
Aug.14