The US International Trade Commission (ITC) has banned Altria and Philip Morris from selling IQOS tobacco heating devices in the country. Reported by The Wall Street Journal.
In January, the main competitor of these companies, RJ Reynolds Tobacco, filed a lawsuit against them, accusing them of using tobacco heating technology, previously patented by ReynoldsAmerican (a subsidiary of British American Tobacco) and intended for Glo and Vype and Vuse vapes.
“Infringement of our intellectual property undermines our ability to invest and innovate,” Reynolds said.
Now the claim must go through an administrative review, which is expected to last two months. If the commission's decision remains in effect, Philip Morris will not be able to sell IQOS devices from November. The decree will come into force after it is approved by US President Joe Biden. Altria and Philip Morris have already announced that they intend to appeal, as they consider Reynolds American's patents invalid.
It is also noted that British American Tobacco has filed a similar lawsuit against Philip Morris in several international markets. However, the courts of Great Britain and Greece sided with Philip Morris.
In April, e-cigarette company Juul closed its Russian subsidiary. The reason was a change in legislation that equated e-cigarettes, vapes and hookahs to regular cigarettes.
