Yes, but according to their own website....they are going after Ruyan-Direct for trademark infringement:
"WWW.RUYANDIRECT.COM NOT AFFILIATED WITH RUYAN!
As the owner of the RUYAN trademark and the inventor of the electronic cigarette, RUYAN would like to warn businesses, consumers, government and media that RUYANDIRECT.COM is in no way related to RUYAN. RUYAN will continue to take actions against companies that violate its trademark rights, as we have in the past with some 12 websites that illegally used the RUYAN name. While such cases are proceeding, RUYAN would like to remind the public that only approved distribution channels are allowed to sell RUYAN products. RUYANDIRECT.COM is in no way related to RUYAN and will be shown to be in clear violation of RUYANS trademark rights."
BEIJING SBT RUYAN TECHNOLOGY & DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD.
August 26, 2009
And, evidently they are lining this up with a firm pharmaceutical slant...in their own words:
RUYAN GROUP (HOLDINGS) LIMITED
(Incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability)
The Company was incorporated in the Cayman Islands as an exempted company with limited liability and its shares are
listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "Stock Exchange")
The Company was renamed from Golden Dragon Group (Holdings) Limited to Ruyan Group (Holdings) Limited
effective from 20 November, 2007.
The Company acts as an investment holding company. Its subsidiaries are principally engaged in production and sales of
a series of health care products, pharmaceutical products and RUYAN atomizing cigarettes.
"I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our customers, suppliers and shareholders. My deep
appreciation and thankfulness goes to all members of our staff, in particular to my fellow directors and
the management for their continuous support to the Groups effort made in the past. This is the first year
since the merger of Golden Dragon Group (Holdings) Limited and Ruyan-SBTs operation. We have
full confidence that the merger of health care products, parametrical products and electronic cigarette
products will bring greater returns for our investors in the years ahead."
By order of the Board
Ruyan Group (Holdings) Limited
Wong Yin Sen
Chairman
Hong Kong,
Even the pre-sale publicity they are putting out about their new RAPP is worded with "health", "tonic", etc. Their message on tradekey now is smoking cessation, healthier alternative to smoking, etc. Could they be working with FDA in the background to settle this as an NRT?