Philip Morris Products SA Invalidates Patent in Court Victory

Jul.03.2022
Philip Morris Products successfully invalidated a patent claim over e-cigarette design by Renovo Tobacco, following litigation.

Philip Morris Products SA, a subsidiary of Philip Morris International Inc., has succeeded in convincing an administrative court that one of Reynolds Tobacco's patents covering the design of vapor electronic cigarettes is partially invalid. In 2020, Reynolds Tobacco and RJ Reynolds Vapor Co. filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Philip Morris International, claiming six patents, including the invalidated patent at issue.

 

On Thursday, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board stated that two claims in the U.S. Patent No. 9,814,268 are invalid. The patent pertains to an electronic smoking device containing tobacco that is designed to burn a small amount.

 

This article contains excerpts or reproductions from third-party sources, with the copyright belonging to the original media and authors. If there is any infringement, please contact us for removal. Any organization or individual who wishes to reprint should contact the author and not do so directly.

 


Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

French Anti-Tobacco Group Questions PMI’s IQOS “Curiosity” Campaign Over Potential Youth Appeal
French Anti-Tobacco Group Questions PMI’s IQOS “Curiosity” Campaign Over Potential Youth Appeal
According to French anti-tobacco group Générations Sans Tabac, Philip Morris International’s (PMI) IQOS “Curiosity” campaign has drawn attention from public health advocates. The group argues that the campaign uses themes including curiosity, exploration and lifestyle branding that could increase interest among younger audiences. PMI has positioned IQOS as a key part of its smoke-free product strategy, while France maintains strict restrictions on tobacco and nicotine product marketing. The debate highlights ongoing tensions between heated tobacco branding strategies and public health concerns in Europe.
Jul.24
Product | PMI Pilots bonds by IQOS and blends in Japan, Testing a New Heated Tobacco Platform
Product | PMI Pilots bonds by IQOS and blends in Japan, Testing a New Heated Tobacco Platform
Philip Morris International (PMI) has launched a regional pilot of bonds by IQOS and dedicated blends tobacco sticks in Japan, introducing a new heated tobacco platform separate from the IQOS ILUMA ecosystem. The system uses Round Heat Technology with an external heating architecture, differentiating it from IQOS ILUMA’s induction-based platform. The pilot began on July 6, 2026, across three Japanese prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga and Nagasaki.
Jul.30
IQOS Enters Kantar BrandZ Global Top 100 for First Time, Valued at $36.6 Billion and Ranked No. 74
IQOS Enters Kantar BrandZ Global Top 100 for First Time, Valued at $36.6 Billion and Ranked No. 74
Philip Morris International’s IQOS has entered the Kantar BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands for the first time, ranking No. 74 with a brand value of $36.634 billion and becoming one of only three newcomers to the 2026 ranking. Kantar said the combined value of the Global Top 100 reached $13.1 trillion, up 22% year on year, while the threshold for entry rose to a record high. PMI says IQOS has more than 35 million users worldwide and surpassed $10 billion in annual net revenues within a decade of launch.
Sep.03
UK HMRC Unveils Red and Yellow Transitional Vape Duty Stamps Ahead of October Tax Launch
UK HMRC Unveils Red and Yellow Transitional Vape Duty Stamps Ahead of October Tax Launch
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has released sample images of the UK’s transitional vaping duty stamps, showing red and yellow versions ahead of the new Vaping Products Duty and Vaping Duty Stamps Scheme starting on October 1, 2026. Transitional stamps contain physical security features but no digital scanning function. Approved businesses may purchase them through November 30 and affix them through December 31. HMRC has not stated that the red and yellow samples represent different product categories or tax statuses.
Regulations
Sep.02
Switzerland Tightens Vape Checks as Only 3 of 32 Tested Products Meet New Tobacco Rules
Switzerland Tightens Vape Checks as Only 3 of 32 Tested Products Meet New Tobacco Rules
According to Swiss media outlet Blick, local authorities are strengthening compliance checks on vape products, nicotine pouches and other tobacco-related products following the implementation of Switzerland’s revised Tobacco Products Act. A Basel laboratory tested 32 disposable vapes and e-liquids, with only three meeting regulatory requirements and 21 products banned from sale. Swiss authorities are also expanding retail inspections, laboratory testing and youth purchase checks to enforce the new tobacco and nicotine product rules.
Aug.12
Australia Extends Illicit Tobacco Crackdown From Tougher Penalties to Customs and Logistics Supply Chains
Australia Extends Illicit Tobacco Crackdown From Tougher Penalties to Customs and Logistics Supply Chains
Australia's federal government introduced a new illicit tobacco enforcement bill on September 10 that would strengthen evidentiary presumptions, representative sampling, seizure and forfeiture procedures, proceeds-of-crime powers and obligations for customs and logistics operators. The proposal follows the Combatting Illicit Tobacco Act 2026, which took effect in August and increased penalties while expanding investigative and asset-recovery tools. Together, the reforms extend Australia's crackdown from tougher criminal sanctions into import, logistics and evidentiary enforcement.
Sep.14