US: Philip Morris and Altria Face ITC Investigation
After British American Tobacco (BAT) filed a complaint, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) announced an investigation into Altria and Philip Morris over alleged infringement of IQOS patents. In April, BAT said it would sue competitor Philip Mor
After British American Tobacco (BAT) filed a lawsuit, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) announced an investigation into Altria and Philip Morris, accusing them of infringing iQOS patents.<\/span><\/span>
In April, British American Tobacco announced it would sue its competitor Philip Morris International Inc (PMI) in the U.S. and Germany, claiming that the tobacco heating technology used in BAT's HnB device IQOS infringes its patents.<\/span><\/div>
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BAT added that it has also filed two patent infringement claims against PMI in the U.S., one through the ITC and another in the Virginia federal court. The tobacco company claims it is seeking damages for losses incurred and a ban on imported products.<\/span><\/div>
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“If we win, unless they agree to obtain our patent license, Philip Morris may receive an ITC exclusion order preventing IQOS from entering the U.S.,” said Will Hill from BAT.<\/span><\/div>
After BAT filed complaints with the ITC against PMI, Altria Group is also facing an investigation. BAT believes that the lawsuits in Germany and the U.S. are based on the fact that the heating blade technology used in IQOS is an earlier version of the technology currently used in Glo tobacco heating devices.<\/span><\/div>
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BAT spokesperson Will Hill stated last April: “If we win, unless they agree to obtain our patent license, Philip Morris will be able to obtain an ITC exclusion order preventing IQOS from entering the U.S.”<\/span><\/div>
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“We have seen media reports that BAT has filed a lawsuit, but we have not had the opportunity to assess the allegations. Philip Morris responded at the time, stating that we will vigorously defend ourselves.<\/span><\/div>
