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

JTI Proposes 25-Cent Irish Cigarette Tax Increase, Says It Could Raise €45 Million
JTI Proposes 25-Cent Irish Cigarette Tax Increase, Says It Could Raise €45 Million
Japan Tobacco International's Irish business has proposed a €0.25 tax increase on a pack of 20 cigarettes in its pre-Budget 2027 submission, below the €0.50-or-more increases typically imposed in recent Irish budgets. JTI says the proposal could generate around €45 million in additional Exchequer revenue while limiting further movement toward illicit and non-Irish-tax-paid tobacco. Revenue's existing estimate for a comparable €0.25 increase, including pro-rata rises on other tobacco products, is about €18 million for a full year.
JTI
Sep.18 by 2Firsts Perspectives
NAS 2026 | FDA CTP Director Says PMTA Pathway Is “Predicated on Tobacco Harm Reduction”
NAS 2026 | FDA CTP Director Says PMTA Pathway Is “Predicated on Tobacco Harm Reduction”
At the 2026 New Approaches Summit in New York, FDA Center for Tobacco Products Director Bret Koplow said the PMTA pathway is “predicated on tobacco harm reduction.” He outlined four CTP priorities: youth prevention, helping adults quit or switch to lower-risk products, improving relative-risk communication, and reducing unauthorized products. Koplow also addressed flavored e-cigarettes, public risk perceptions, industry credibility and efforts to make PMTA reviews more efficient and predictable.
Sep.26
Canada Considers Easing Pharmacy-Only Nicotine Pouch Sales Rules, Potentially Reopening Convenience Store Channel
Canada Considers Easing Pharmacy-Only Nicotine Pouch Sales Rules, Potentially Reopening Convenience Store Channel
Canada's federal government is considering changes to current restrictions on where nicotine pouches can be sold, potentially allowing authorized products to return to convenience stores and other general retail channels, although no decision has been made. Since 2024, emerging nicotine replacement therapy products such as nicotine pouches have been largely restricted to behind-the-counter pharmacy sales. Health Canada, meanwhile, continues to recall unauthorized and higher-strength nicotine pouches, indicating that the current discussion concerns retail access for authorized products rather than a broad relaxation of nicotine pouch regulation.
Sep.14
R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company Launches Flavored Vuse Pro Pods in U.S. Without FDA Marketing Authorization
R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company Launches Flavored Vuse Pro Pods in U.S. Without FDA Marketing Authorization
R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company has begun selling four flavored Vuse Pro pods — Peach, Berry, Watermelon and Fresh Mint — in Ohio and selected other U.S. markets. According to the Vuse U.S. FAQ, Vuse Pro contains approximately 5.0% nicotine by weight, and Vuse Pro pre-filled pods are intended for use with Vuse Alto devices. Reynolds told 2Firsts that product labeling lists an e-liquid capacity of 2.0 mL per pod. The Vuse Alto Power Unit received FDA marketing authorization in 2024, while the new Vuse Pro pods themselves have not received marketing granted orders. The rollout follows the FDA’s May 2026 revision of enforcement priorities for certain unauthorized vaping products with qualifying pending applications.
BAT
Sep.10
Special Report|CrossBar's High-Puff Vapes Draw Attention on Pennsylvania's 163-Product Directory as Link Between Earlier 1.3mL PMTA Filings and New 13mL Products Remains Unclear
Special Report|CrossBar's High-Puff Vapes Draw Attention on Pennsylvania's 163-Product Directory as Link Between Earlier 1.3mL PMTA Filings and New 13mL Products Remains Unclear
Pennsylvania began enforcing its electronic nicotine delivery system directory restrictions on October 19, 2026. Among 163 product listings recorded before enforcement, four CrossBar 20K disposables stood out with 13mL capacity, advertised puff counts of up to 20,000 and a flattened design distinct from conventional pod systems and compact disposables. Historical records identify earlier 1.3mL CrossBar products associated with Romo LLC, while newer 13mL products appeared in several state directories beginning in 2025 under entities including Blue Nine LLC. PMTA compliance expert Mr. K identified amendments and application ownership transfers as possible regulatory mechanisms, although neither has been confirmed in this case. Separately, Reynolds' $7.5 million acquisition of 16 PACHA products and related assets illustrates the commercial value of products linked to historic PMTA submissions.
Special Report
Oct.22
New York City Opens Lottery for 55 Vape Retail License Slots Across 23 Community Districts, Including 28 in Brooklyn
New York City Opens Lottery for 55 Vape Retail License Slots Across 23 Community Districts, Including 28 in Brooklyn
New York City's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) opened applications on November 2, 2026, for a lottery covering tobacco and electronic cigarette retail dealer licenses, with a deadline of 5 p.m. New York local time on November 30. According to the city's October 1 notice, 55 electronic cigarette retail license slots are available across 23 community districts, including 28 in Brooklyn, alongside 322 tobacco retail license slots across 41 districts. Businesses must enter the lottery and, if invited, complete licensing requirements within 65 days. New York City continues to restrict e-cigarette retail sales to tobacco-flavored or unflavored products, while city retail licenses do not replace FDA product marketing authorization.
Market
Nov.04