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

Product | JT Expands Vote-Winning EVO Cacao Mint Crystal to Nationwide Retail in Japan, Adds 22-Stick Limited Pack at Same Price
Product | JT Expands Vote-Winning EVO Cacao Mint Crystal to Nationwide Retail in Japan, Adds 22-Stick Limited Pack at Same Price
Japan Tobacco (JT) will expand EVO Cacao Mint Crystal from limited channels to nationwide retail in Japan from October 6, 2026. The Ploom tobacco stick ranked first in the brand's first consumer voting campaign for new tobacco-stick SKUs held earlier this year. JT will also introduce a limited 22-stick pack at the same JPY 620 price as the standard 20-stick pack. The capsule-format product combines menthol with sweet, bittersweet cacao notes and adds a berry nuance when the capsule is crushed.
Sep.09
Juul Displays FDA-Authorized JUUL2, Highlights Age Verification at NACS Show 2026
Juul Displays FDA-Authorized JUUL2, Highlights Age Verification at NACS Show 2026
At the 2026 NACS Show in Las Vegas, Juul Labs displayed its JUUL2 e-cigarette system alongside existing products, age-verification messaging and mobile coupons, 2Firsts observed. The JUUL2 device and Virginia Tobacco and Polar Menthol pods received FDA marketing authorization in August 2026. Booth materials highlighted longer battery life, greater e-liquid capacity and connected-device features. A TruAge sign and a mobile coupon presentation also featured at the booth, with weekly offers available to age-verified adult nicotine consumers at participating retailers.
EXPO
Oct.09
Product | Philip Morris Japan Launches Ginza-Exclusive IQOS ILUMA i PRIME, Limited to 1,814 Units at First Global Flagship
Product | Philip Morris Japan Launches Ginza-Exclusive IQOS ILUMA i PRIME, Limited to 1,814 Units at First Global Flagship
Philip Morris Japan (PMJ) launched the IQOS ILUMA i PRIME Ginza Limited Model Set in Tokyo on September 4, 2026, alongside the opening of IQOS Flagship Ginza, the brand’s first global flagship store. The Oasis Blue edition is limited to 1,814 individually numbered units, with the figure derived from the store’s address at Ginza 1-8-14. The set also includes two Yamanaka-nuri glasses and special packaging, priced at JPY 11,980 and sold exclusively at the Ginza flagship.
Sep.07
UK Vape Duty Starts in October as Hayati, DOJO and Others Launch Lower-Capacity Products With Lower Per-Unit Tax
UK Vape Duty Starts in October as Hayati, DOJO and Others Launch Lower-Capacity Products With Lower Per-Unit Tax
The UK's Vaping Products Duty will take effect on October 1, 2026, at a flat rate of £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid. Ahead of implementation, DOJO, PIXL and Hayati have introduced or been reported to be adding lower-capacity tiers alongside larger products. DOJO has added a 6ml BLAST7K Fresh below its 10ml BLAST10K Fresh, PIXL offers both a 12ml 8000 and a 6ml 5K, while retailer Ninja Vapes says Hayati is preparing a 7ml 4K alongside its existing 12ml 6K. The pattern points to a growing lower-capacity tier in the UK market, although the brands have not all explicitly linked the changes to the new duty.
Sep.23
Major U.S.  Vape Distributor Demand Vape Pays at Least $300,000 for White House Lobbying Amid Enforcement Pressure
Major U.S. Vape Distributor Demand Vape Pays at Least $300,000 for White House Lobbying Amid Enforcement Pressure
New York vape distributor Ecto World, which operates as Demand Vape, hired political consultant Roger Stone to lobby the Executive Office of the President on regulation of vaping and related products while facing state enforcement and multiple lawsuits. Public lobbying disclosures show that Ecto World paid at least $300,000 for the work through June 30, 2026. Separately, New York State announced in March that more than 28,500 pounds of vaping products tied to the company had been seized, while New York City and the state have pursued legal or enforcement actions. Public records do not show that the lobbying directly changed any specific regulatory or enforcement outcome.
Sep.08
German Bundestag Passes Tobacco Tax Hikes: Vape Liquid Duty to Reach €0.44/ml, Heated Tobacco Taxes to Rise and Cigarettes Seen Near €12 a Pack
German Bundestag Passes Tobacco Tax Hikes: Vape Liquid Duty to Reach €0.44/ml, Heated Tobacco Taxes to Rise and Cigarettes Seen Near €12 a Pack
Germany's Bundestag passed amendments to the Tobacco Tax Act on October 15, 2026, setting out annual excise tax increases from 2027 through 2030 for e-cigarette liquids, heated tobacco, cigarettes and other tobacco products. Under the Finance Committee's amended bill, duty on qualifying e-liquids will rise from €0.32/ml in 2026 to €0.44/ml in 2030, an increase of 37.5%. Heated tobacco will retain its tax calculation based on 80% of the corresponding cigarette excise duty. The average price of a 20-cigarette pack is projected to approach €12 by 2030, with some brands potentially reaching €14. The legislation is projected to generate approximately €11.8 billion in additional tax revenue over four years and remains subject to further legislative procedures.
Regulations
Oct.19