A Japanese court has ruled in favor of Philip Morris International (PMI) in a patent dispute concerning e-cigarette technology, marking a significant development in the ongoing legal battles over heated tobacco products.
The Tokyo District Court dismissed claims by British American Tobacco (BAT) affiliates, who had alleged that PMI’s “Platform 1” blade products infringed upon their patents, according to reports. The court found no infringement regarding one of the two patents asserted by BAT, leading to the dismissal of that part of the case.
This decision is part of a broader series of legal confrontations between PMI and BAT over heated tobacco technologies. In 2018, PMI initiated legal action against BAT in Japan, accusing BAT’s “glo” devices and NeoStik consumables of infringing on its patents. BAT has consistently denied these allegations and has challenged the validity of PMI’s patents in various jurisdictions.
The global dispute between these two tobacco giants has spanned multiple countries, including the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
However, in February 2024, PMI and BAT announced a comprehensive global settlement to resolve all existing patent infringement disputes related to their heated tobacco and vapor products. The agreement includes provisions to end ongoing litigation and prevent future claims against existing products.
Despite the settlement, the recent Japanese court ruling underscores the complexities and ongoing nature of patent disputes in the rapidly evolving e-cigarette market. Both companies continue to invest heavily in the development and protection of their intellectual property as they expand their portfolios of smoke-free products.
