Home
Company
Product
Regulation
China
Data
Exhibition
Interview
中文版
Home
Company
Product
Regulation
China
Data
Exhibition
Interview
中文版
Search

Reynolds Tobacco Loses Appeal in Altria Patent Infringement Case

Dec.20.2024
Reynolds Tobacco Loses Appeal in Altria Patent Infringement Case
Reynolds Tobacco loses appeal in e-cigarette patent case, upholding $95.2 million Altria ruling for patent infringement.

According to a report from Reuters on December 19, the British American Tobacco subsidiary Reynolds Tobacco (R.J. Reynolds Vapor Co.) failed to overturn a jury's ruling in North Carolina, USA that its Vuse Alto e-cigarette infringed on three e-cigarette patents belonging to Altria (Altria Group Inc.). The compensation awarded amounts to a staggering $95.2 million. The appeals court rejected Reynolds Tobacco's lawsuit.


Altria, based in Richmond, Virginia, filed a lawsuit against Reynolds Tobacco in 2020, accusing the company of infringing on a patent for an e-cigarette device that features a pod for storing and heating liquid nicotine. Altria is seeking damages from Reynolds Tobacco for infringing on the patent used in their Vuse Alto e-cigarette sales.


In 2022, the jury agreed to Altria's request and awarded them $95.2 million in compensation for patent infringement by Reynolds Tobacco. Subsequently, Reynolds Tobacco argued in the federal appellate court that their products did not infringe on the patent, the patent was invalid, and the compensation amount was too high.


On Thursday, a panel of three federal appellate court judges rejected Reynolds Tobacco's arguments. U.S. Circuit Judge William Bryson stated in a partial dissent that unless Altria agrees to waive "approximately half" of the damages, he will grant Reynolds Tobacco's request for a new trial on compensatory damages.


Spokespersons and attorneys for Reynolds Tobacco and Altria have not yet responded to this decision.


References:
[1] R.J. Reynolds loses appeal in $95 million Altria e-cigarette patent case
Also Read:
[1] US Supreme Court Rejects Reynolds Tobacco Appeal on Warning Labels
[2] FDA Issues Enforcement Notice, Targeting Several Chinese Brands
#North America#Legislation#Pod system e-cigarettes#USA

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn

Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

China Tobacco Regulation Shift：Policy Updates and Market Impact
China Tobacco Regulation Shift：Policy Updates and Market Impact
Product | BAT Launches VELO WRKS Nicotine Pouches in Sweden, Introducing Dual-Compartment Cans With Two Flavours
Product | BAT Launches VELO WRKS Nicotine Pouches in Sweden, Introducing Dual-Compartment Cans With Two Flavours
British American Tobacco (BAT)'s VELO brand launched the VELO WRKS nicotine pouch range in Sweden on November 2, 2026. The initial release features three Dual Can variants, each containing two separate flavours in a dual-compartment container. Each can holds 20 slim pouches with 8mg of nicotine per pouch and retails for SEK 52.99. According to VELO, the first release, Drop 1, is limited to 75,000 cans and will remain available until February 2027 or while stocks last. VELO positions WRKS as a platform for testing new product concepts and has introduced an online consumer feedback survey. EU trademark records show BAT applied to register VELO WRKS in March 2026 under Class 34, covering nicotine pouches, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and other tobacco-related goods.
product
Nov.03
U.S. Expands Illicit Vape Enforcement as ATF Brings PACT Act Powers Into Trade Fraud Task Force
U.S. Expands Illicit Vape Enforcement as ATF Brings PACT Act Powers Into Trade Fraud Task Force
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said on September 23 that it has joined the interagency Trade Fraud Task Force to strengthen enforcement against illegal, misdeclared and smuggled vape and tobacco products. ATF will bring its authority under the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act into the task force, including registration, reporting, shipping and record-inspection requirements covering interstate sales of electronic nicotine delivery systems. ATF said the move will strengthen its ability to trace illicit products from U.S. points of entry through domestic trafficking and distribution networks.
News
Sep.28 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Product | Philip Morris Japan Teams Up With Renowned French Audio Brand DEVIALET for Limited-Edition IQOS Priced 60% Above Standard Model
Product | Philip Morris Japan Teams Up With Renowned French Audio Brand DEVIALET for Limited-Edition IQOS Priced 60% Above Standard Model
Philip Morris Japan (PMJ) launched the limited-edition IQOS ILUMA i PRIME Soundsorial Model in collaboration with French audio brand DEVIALET on October 1, 2026. Featuring sound-wave patterns, a silver-and-black finish and a gradient holder, the heated tobacco device is priced at JPY 15,980, including tax, and is available at four IQOS stores in Japan. According to Japanese media citing a PMJ representative, about 1,900 units were allocated to the Japanese retail market. A separate Soundsorial Collection, combining the device with DEVIALET Gemini II earbuds, includes 440 sets allocated to Japan for a membership prize draw.
product
Oct.23
South Korea Fully Reviews Nicotine-Analog and Nicotine-Free Vape Liquid Imports, With Over 99% From China and Chinese Supply-Chain Documents Under Scrutiny
South Korea Fully Reviews Nicotine-Analog and Nicotine-Free Vape Liquid Imports, With Over 99% From China and Chinese Supply-Chain Documents Under Scrutiny
Korea Customs Service has tightened import controls on nicotine-analog and nicotine-free e-cigarette liquids, placing the products under 100% document review and subjecting all e-cigarette liquid import declarations to pre-clearance ingredient analysis. As of September 20, 2026, South Korea had imported about 15 metric tons of nicotine-analog liquids, 99.99% from China, and about 316 metric tons of nicotine-free liquids, including roughly 315 metric tons, or 99.7%, from China. The measures follow South Korea's April expansion of its tobacco definition to include synthetic nicotine products and include new checks on Chinese manufacturing, transaction and export documentation.
Sep.24
Special Report | Russia Places Four JTI Businesses Under Temporary Management, a First for Tobacco Majors
Special Report | Russia Places Four JTI Businesses Under Temporary Management, a First for Tobacco Majors
Russia has placed shares in four Japan Tobacco International businesses under temporary management, the first such move involving a major global tobacco manufacturer, according to Interfax. JTI held 35.8% of Russia's tobacco market by volume in the first nine months of 2026. While British American Tobacco and Imperial Brands have exited Russia, Philip Morris International continues operating there. As the market changes and diplomatic efforts continue, could international tobacco companies that left Russia eventually return?
Nov.06
UK Extends Age-18 Rules to Zero-Nicotine Vapes and Nicotine Pouches From Oct. 29, Bans Vending Machines and Promotional Giveaways
UK Extends Age-18 Rules to Zero-Nicotine Vapes and Nicotine Pouches From Oct. 29, Bans Vending Machines and Promotional Giveaways
Key provisions of the UK's Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 will take effect on Oct. 29, extending an age-18 sales restriction to all vaping and non-medicinal nicotine products. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the change brings zero-nicotine vapes within statutory age-of-sale rules and also covers products including nicotine pouches, strips and pearls. The law will also prohibit proxy purchasing for under-18s, consumer-facing vending machines, promotional giveaways and substantial discounts intended to promote vaping and nicotine products.
Regulations
Oct.10
Related Topics
News Company
Related Read
Product | BAT Launches VELO WRKS Nicotine Pouches in Sweden, Introducing Dual-Compartment Cans With Two Flavours
Product | BAT Launches VELO WRKS Nicotine Pouches in Sweden, Introducing Dual-Compartment Cans With Two Flavours
U.S. Expands Illicit Vape Enforcement as ATF Brings PACT Act Powers Into Trade Fraud Task Force
U.S. Expands Illicit Vape Enforcement as ATF Brings PACT Act Powers Into Trade Fraud Task Force
2Firsts Perspectives
Product | Philip Morris Japan Teams Up With Renowned French Audio Brand DEVIALET for Limited-Edition IQOS Priced 60% Above Standard Model
Product | Philip Morris Japan Teams Up With Renowned French Audio Brand DEVIALET for Limited-Edition IQOS Priced 60% Above Standard Model
South Korea Fully Reviews Nicotine-Analog and Nicotine-Free Vape Liquid Imports, With Over 99% From China and Chinese Supply-Chain Documents Under Scrutiny
South Korea Fully Reviews Nicotine-Analog and Nicotine-Free Vape Liquid Imports, With Over 99% From China and Chinese Supply-Chain Documents Under Scrutiny
Special Report | Russia Places Four JTI Businesses Under Temporary Management, a First for Tobacco Majors
Special Report | Russia Places Four JTI Businesses Under Temporary Management, a First for Tobacco Majors
UK Extends Age-18 Rules to Zero-Nicotine Vapes and Nicotine Pouches From Oct. 29, Bans Vending Machines and Promotional Giveaways
UK Extends Age-18 Rules to Zero-Nicotine Vapes and Nicotine Pouches From Oct. 29, Bans Vending Machines and Promotional Giveaways
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Contact: info@2firsts.com
Stay up to date.
Submit your email to receive weekly newsletter on the most relevant news of the e-cigarette industry.
© 2026 2FIRSTS. All Right Reserved.
2FIRSTS is only accessible to industry practitioners, researchers, media and other professionals. Access by minors is prohibited.
This website provides services to users outside the Chinese mainland.
English
English
中文