USITC to investigate e-cigarette patent infringement
The US International Trade Commission ( ITC) has began an investigation into more than 20 e-cigarette vendors following a complaint by manufacturer Juul Labs regarding patent infringement.
In a press release issued on December 20, the ITC announced the investigation into whether certain imported components of “electronic nicotine delivery systems” infringed five of Juul Labs’ patents (US numbers 10,058,129; 10,104,915; 10,111,470; 10,117,465; and 10,117,466).
The patents relate to a number of different internal components of e-cigarettes and vaporisers.
Juul Labs is a San Francisco-based manufacturer of e-cigarettes, known for its rechargeable Juul e-cigarette which uses nicotine salts from leaf-based tobacco.
The company requested that the ITC issue a temporary exclusion order and cease and desist orders to the respondents following the investigation.
A total of 23 companies were listed as being under investigation. The respondents are alleged to be in violation of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930.
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