RAI Strategic Holdings Inc. Files Patent Infringement Case

Business by 2FIRSTS.ai
Jun.13.2024
RAI Strategic Holdings Inc. Files Patent Infringement Case
RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc. files patent infringement complaint with USITC against 42 companies for certain e-cigarette products.

On June 11, 2024, RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc., R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, RAI Services Company, and R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company filed a complaint with the United States International Trade Commission under Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, alleging patent infringement of certain e-cigarette products exported from the US, imported into the US, or sold in the US. They requested the initiation of a Section 337 investigation and the issuance of a general exclusion order, limited exclusion order, and cease and desist orders. A total of 42 companies from the US, China, the UK, and other countries are involved in the case.

 

According to documents from the U.S. International Trade Commission, the following companies have been listed as proposed defendants by Reynolds Tobacco because they are suspected of importing, selling, or distributing disposable electronic vaporization devices and their components that allegedly infringe U.S. Patent No. 11,925,202 ("the '202 patent").

 

The proposed respondents include the following companies:

 

1. Breeze Smoke, LLC 2. Capital Sales Company 3. KMT Services, LLC doing business as KMT Distribution and Dank Shop 4. Dongguan (Shenzhen) Shikai Technology Co., Ltd. 5. Vapeonly Technology Co. Ltd. 6. iMiracle (Shenzhen) Technology Co., Ltd. 7. Guangdong Qisitech Co., Ltd. 8. Fewo Intelligent Manufacturing, Ltd. 9. Nevera (HK) Ltd. 10. Guangdong Cellular Workshop Electronics Technology Co., Ltd. 11. Wonder Ladies Ltd. 12. Sailing South Ltd. 13. Marea Morada Ltd. 14. Social Brands, LLC 15. Zhuhai Qisitech Co., Ltd. 16. Shenzhen Han Technology Co., Ltd. 17. Palma Terra Ltd. 18. Shenzhen IVPS Technology Co., Ltd. 19. Heaven Gifts International Ltd. 20. Maduro Distributors Inc. doing business as The Loon 21. Bidi Vapor, LLC 22. Kaival Brands Innovations Group Inc. 23. Kimsun Technology (HuiZhou) Co., Ltd. 24. Shenzhen Yanyang Technology Co., Ltd. 25. Pastel Cartel, LLC 26. American Vape Company, LLC 27. Affiliated Imports, LLC 28. Shenzhen Innokin Technology Co., Ltd. 29. Shenzhen Funyin Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. 30. Shenzhen LC Technology Co., Ltd. 31. LCF Labs, Inc. 32. Shenzhen Kangvape Technology Co., Ltd. 33. Flumgio Technology Ltd. 34. Shenzhen Pingray Technology 35. SV3 LLC doing business as Mi-One Brands 36. Price Point Distributors Inc. doing business as Price Point NY 37. Flawless Vape Shop Inc. 38. Flawless Vape Wholesale & Distribution Inc. 39. Thesy, LLC doing business as Element Vape 40. VICA Trading Inc. doing business as Vapesourcing 41. Ecto World, LLC doing business as Demand Vape 42. Midwest Goods Inc. doing business as Midwest Distribution

 

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

New York’s 75% Wholesale Tax on Nicotine Pouches Takes Effect Sept. 1, With Aug. 31 Inventory Subject to Floor Tax
New York’s 75% Wholesale Tax on Nicotine Pouches Takes Effect Sept. 1, With Aug. 31 Inventory Subject to Floor Tax
New York State will extend its tobacco products tax to “alternative nicotine products,” including tobacco-free nicotine pouches, from September 1, 2026, at a rate of 75% of the wholesale price. Distributors, wholesalers and retailers must also inventory products held as of 11:59 p.m. on August 31 and pay a floor tax. Vapor products are excluded from the new category and remain subject to New York's separate 20% supplemental sales tax on the retail price.
Aug.26
Product | ZAR Launches Coffee AirPouch, Expanding Pouch Format Into Caffeine Products
Product | ZAR Launches Coffee AirPouch, Expanding Pouch Format Into Caffeine Products
ZAR has introduced Coffee AirPouch, a nicotine-free caffeine pouch product that extends the brand’s AirPouch format into the functional consumer category. Each pouch contains 50mg of natural caffeine and features a coffee flavor, highlighting how pouch-based products are expanding beyond traditional nicotine applications into broader lifestyle and energy-use scenarios.
Market
Jul.13 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Product | HQD SiSA 80K Enters the U.S. Market With a Hookah-Inspired Approach to the High-Capacity Disposable Segment
Product | HQD SiSA 80K Enters the U.S. Market With a Hookah-Inspired Approach to the High-Capacity Disposable Segment
The HQD SiSA 80K Hookah Disposable Vape has appeared across U.S. and cross-border online retail channels. The device comes prefilled with 28ml of e-liquid, uses a 5% nicotine salt configuration and carries a brand claim of up to 80,000 puffs. Beyond puff count, the product differentiates itself through hookah-inspired features including adjustable airflow, a flowing-water sound effect and flavor options associated with traditional hookah consumption.
Aug.18
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
CCPIT Says Trade Friction Index for China-Related Electronics Sector Remains High, With Vape Products Among Areas of Focus
CCPIT Says Trade Friction Index for China-Related Electronics Sector Remains High, With Vape Products Among Areas of Focus
China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) held its July regular press conference on July 31, 2026, releasing the May 2026 Global Economic and Trade Friction Index. CCPIT spokesperson Yang Fan said the global trade friction index stood at 95 in May, remaining at a medium-to-high level. By industry, the electronics sector recorded the highest trade friction index among 13 monitored industries. In China-related trade frictions, the index stood at 93, with electronics products including drones, chips and vape products among areas where friction remained elevated.
Aug.03
Japan’s Heated Tobacco Tax Reform Drives Price Increase as JT Raises All Ploom Sticks by ¥40
Japan’s Heated Tobacco Tax Reform Drives Price Increase as JT Raises All Ploom Sticks by ¥40
Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) has applied to Japan’s finance minister for approval to revise retail prices of its Ploom heated tobacco sticks following planned changes to the heated tobacco tax system from October 1, 2026. If approved, all 31 Ploom stick products will increase by ¥40. After the adjustment, EVO products will cost ¥620 per 20-stick pack, MEVIUS products ¥590 and CAMEL products ¥570. JT said the price revision is intended to respond to tax changes while maintaining product quality and brand value. The tax reform is expected to narrow the tax gap between combustible cigarettes and heated tobacco products, potentially reshaping pricing strategies in Japan’s heated tobacco market.
Jul.22