BAT Sues PMI, Alleging IQOS Heating Technology Patent Infringement
BAT has sued Philip Morris in the U.S. and Germany, alleging that the tobacco heating technology used in IQOS infringes BAT patents. The company filed claims through the ITC and federal court.
According to Reuters, British American Tobacco (BAT) announced on Thursday that it has sued Philip Morris International (PMI) in the United States and Germany, alleging that the tobacco heating technology used in its IQOS devices infringes on BAT's patents.<\/span><\/div>
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The cigarette manufacturer stated that it has filed two patent infringement lawsuits against Philip Morris in the U.S., one through the International Trade Commission (ITC) and the other in the Virginia federal court, seeking remedies for damages and an import ban on the product.<\/span><\/div>
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The lawsuits in Germany and the U.S. focus on the heating technology used in IQOS.<\/span><\/div>
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BAT claims that this is an earlier version of the technology currently used in its global tobacco heating devices. BAT has plans to launch its products globally in Germany this year.<\/span><\/div>
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Will Hill, a spokesperson for BAT, commented that if they win, PMI may face an ITC exclusion order preventing the import of IQOS into the U.S., unless they agree otherwise.<\/span><\/div>
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Philip Morris began selling IQOS in the U.S. last year. The device is also the only tobacco heating product approved for sale in the country.<\/span><\/div>
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PMI stated in a statement that they have seen media reports about BAT's lawsuit but have not yet assessed the allegations. However, they can say that they will vigorously defend themselves.<\/span><\/div>
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BAT noted that the cases at the ITC and the district court will be handled separately, and the court's rulings will not be interdependent.<\/span><\/div>
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As fewer people smoke traditional cigarettes, tobacco companies are spending billions developing smoke-free alternatives, such as e-cigarettes and tobacco heating devices.<\/span><\/div>
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Unlike combustible cigarettes, IQOS devices heat tobacco sticks wrapped in paper, producing an aerosol containing nicotine. They are also different from e-cigarettes like Juul, which vaporize nicotine-laden liquid.<\/span><\/div>
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In the UK, the company stated that it is challenging the validity of Philip Morris's patents in a lawsuit filed against BAT by an American company in Japan.<\/span><\/div>
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BAT did not disclose the amount of damages sought in all cases.<\/span><\/div>
