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.


This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

IQOS Partners with Mexico’s Zamna Festival; PMI Says Adult User Base Tops 140,000
IQOS Partners with Mexico’s Zamna Festival; PMI Says Adult User Base Tops 140,000
Philip Morris International (PMI) said IQOS, via its “IQOS Curious X” platform, has entered a global partnership with the Zamna music festival in Tulum, Mexico, with the collaboration making its on-site debut during Zamna 2026 and targeting adult nicotine users. PMI said IQOS has more than 34 million users worldwide, while the number of adult consumers in Mexico has surpassed 140,000.
Jan.15 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Syria announces comprehensive ban on e-cigarettes covering production, trade, sale and use
Syria announces comprehensive ban on e-cigarettes covering production, trade, sale and use
Syria Damascus health authorities announced a comprehensive ban on e-cigarettes, prohibiting their production, circulation, sale and use, citing health risks and the need to protect public health, particularly among children and young people.
Mar.02 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Japan Tobacco Expands Heated Tobacco Customization Strategy with Artist-Led Limited Editions
Japan Tobacco Expands Heated Tobacco Customization Strategy with Artist-Led Limited Editions
Japan Tobacco has launched a limited-edition Ploom AURA front panel series in collaboration with musician Ichiro Yamaguchi, featuring five customized designs incorporating brass, Kutani ware, verdigris, kintsugi, and rosewood motifs. Two editions are available through retail channels, while three are distributed via a membership lottery system. The initiative highlights JT’s growing focus on exterior customization and design partnerships as part of its broader heated tobacco brand strategy.
Feb.11 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Russia proposes extending voluntary labeling pilot for reusable e-cigarettes to Aug. 31, 2026
Russia proposes extending voluntary labeling pilot for reusable e-cigarettes to Aug. 31, 2026
Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade has proposed extending a voluntary labeling pilot covering reusable e-cigarettes and similar personal electric vaporizing devices until August 31, 2026. A draft government decree has been published on the unified portal for posting drafts of normative legal acts.
Jan.22 by 2FIRSTS.ai
PMTA Roundtable Opens with Industry Questioning Product Characterization Standards, FDA Defends Regulatory Boundaries
PMTA Roundtable Opens with Industry Questioning Product Characterization Standards, FDA Defends Regulatory Boundaries
At the opening of FDA’s PMTA roundtable, small ENDS manufacturers warned that unclear product characterization standards are limiting their ability to invest and raise capital. FDA officials acknowledged industry concerns but said regulatory flexibility is constrained by statutory and procedural boundaries.
Feb.11
Special Report | New Patents Show China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Testing Gas-Releasing Nicotine Pouches
Special Report | New Patents Show China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Testing Gas-Releasing Nicotine Pouches
Newly published patent filings indicate that China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China National Tobacco Corporation (CNTC), is exploring nicotine pouch technologies capable of releasing gas during oral use. The designs include carbon-dioxide microcapsules that burst in the mouth and effervescent systems that generate gas through chemical reactions with saliva, suggesting efforts to introduce new sensory dynamics into modern oral nicotine products.
News
Mar.04