E-cig patent wars begin...

[AegisPrime]

Fontem Ventures/Imperial Tobacco Group Sues US E-cig Companies for Infringement — TobaccoToday

On Wednesday, March 5, 2014, Fontem Ventures B.V., a Netherlands-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of Imperial tobacco Group, a British multinational tobacco company headquartered in Bristol, United Kingdom and the world’s fourth-largest cigarette company, filed suit against the following US e-cigarette companies: njoy, Spark Industries (Cig2O). Vapor Corp., LOEC (Blu Cig/Lorillard). FIN Branding/Victory E-cigs. CB Distributors (21^st Century Smoke), Logic Technology, VMR Products (V2 Cigs and Vapor Couture) and Ballantyne Brands (Mistic). The suit alleges patent infringement, citing four patents that Fontem purchased as a part of a portfolio of intellectual property acquired in late 2013 from Dragonite International Limited, China, for $75 million. This news suggests that Fontem/Imperial is going to be aggressive in asserting its patents and seeking a return on its investment in the Dragonite portfolio. Despite consistent comments from US e-cigarette companies that the Dragonite portfolio was of dubious value, it appears as if Fontem/Imperial is eager to let the courts resolve the matter.

 

[jwoode]

I knew I should have patented the idea when I dropped a still glowing car cigarette lighter into the half empty Starbucks cappuccino, then lifted it to my nose and huffed it.

 

[sonicdsl]

Already under discussion here:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...akers-claims-dragonite-patent-violations.html


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