Vape Brand VPR Brands Settles Trademark Lawsuit for $5.3M

May.10.2023
Vape Brand VPR Brands Settles Trademark Lawsuit for $5.3M
Safa Goods to pay $5.3M to VPR Brands to settle "Elf" trademark lawsuit over e-cigarettes in the US.

According to recent public information released by securities regulatory agencies, US wholesaler Safa Goods has agreed to pay VPR Brands, the manufacturer of "Elf" branded e-cigarettes, 5.3 million US dollars in order to settle a patent infringement lawsuit brought against them.


According to reports, Safa Goods is a wholesaler for the Miracle electronic cigarette products in the US. In 2022, the parent company VPR Brands of the "Elf" brand filed a lawsuit against Shenzhen Wepowerloy Technology Co., Ltd., Imiracle Ltd., and other companies, alleging that they infringed on the "Elf" brand trademark.


According to court records, one of the defendants, company "Ai Qi Ji" produced and sold disposable e-cigarettes called "Elfbar", which infringed upon VPR's registered trademark "Elf" in the e-cigarette industry. The initial court ruling found in favor of VPR and issued a preliminary injunction against Shenzhen Wei Bolili, preventing them from marketing or selling disposable e-cigarettes under the name "Elfbar".


Following a preliminary ruling based on legislation, Weipoli changed the name of "Elfbar" to "EBDesign" and continued marketing and sales activities in the United States. However, VPR claims that some defendants have violated the injunction, including retail distribution company Safa Goods, which distributes Elfbar products.


Safa Goods has agreed to pay $5.3 million to VPR within 18 months, and $50,000 to the plaintiff's attorney firm Sriplaw PA.


Although the settlement with VPR marks the end of Safa Goods' lawsuit, litigation between VPR and other defendants is still ongoing.


Reference:


A manufacturer of vaping products has reached a settlement of $5.3 million with a wholesaler in a legal dispute involving the trademark for the film "Elf.



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.

Sesh touts independence, 8VC backing and retail reach as it challenges tobacco-owned pouch brands
Sesh touts independence, 8VC backing and retail reach as it challenges tobacco-owned pouch brands
U.S. nicotine pouch brand Sesh has emphasized its independence from Altria, Philip Morris International and British American Tobacco, along with backing from investors including 8VC, celebrity supporters and a retail footprint of more than 7,500 stores, as it seeks to differentiate itself in a market where major pouch brands are owned by large tobacco companies.
Regulations
Jul.07 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Product | IVG Pro 15K Enters European Retail Channels, Expanding High-Capacity Pod System Segment
Product | IVG Pro 15K Enters European Retail Channels, Expanding High-Capacity Pod System Segment
UK vape brand IVG has introduced the IVG Pro 15K, a high-capacity pod system combining a 2ml prefilled pod with a 10ml refill container to deliver up to 15,000 puffs. Unlike conventional high-puff disposable vapes, the IVG Pro 15K adopts a reusable device structure, reflecting a broader shift in the European vape market toward longer-use-cycle products and reusable hardware ecosystems.
Jul.14
Product|PMI Expands High-Strength Nicotine Pouch Portfolio With Zyn 16.5mg
Product|PMI Expands High-Strength Nicotine Pouch Portfolio With Zyn 16.5mg
According to Better Retailing, Philip Morris International (PMI) has launched Zyn Menthol Ice 16.5mg in the UK, marking the highest-strength nicotine pouch in the Zyn range to date. The eucalyptus- and menthol-flavored product is now available through PMI Open and will begin rolling out to wholesale channels from the end of May.
PMI
May.28
Seita’s Julia Neumaier Says France Should Target Vape Access, Not Plain Packaging
Seita’s Julia Neumaier Says France Should Target Vape Access, Not Plain Packaging
Julia Neumaier, general manager of Seita, Imperial Brands’ French subsidiary, said France should focus vaping regulation on access control, age verification, online sales and distribution channels, rather than applying tobacco-style plain packaging to vaping products.
Jul.15
EU Tobacco Rules Face Pushback as Analysis Says 90% of Consultation Responses Raised Objections
EU Tobacco Rules Face Pushback as Analysis Says 90% of Consultation Responses Raised Objections
An analysis by We Are Innovation says more than 90% of over 82,000 responses to the European Commission’s public consultation on the Tobacco Products Directive revision raised at least one substantial objection to the proposed regulatory direction.
Jul.13
Argentina Updates Health Warning Rules to Include Vapes and Nicotine Pouches
Argentina Updates Health Warning Rules to Include Vapes and Nicotine Pouches
Argentina’s Ministry of Health has updated its health warning rules for tobacco and nicotine products, adding e-cigarettes, vapes, heated tobacco products, sticks and nicotine pouches to mandatory warning requirements.
Jul.08