MO Altria Group Inc

By Will Feuer

Altria Group said it has sued vapemaker Juul Labs, alleging that some of Juul's products infringe on patents owned by Altria's NJOY subsidiary.

Altria said it has filed patent-infringement complaints against Juul with the U.S. International Trade Commission and in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. Altria said it is seeking a ban on the importation of Juul's device and Juulpods.

"Protecting our intellectual property is critical to achieving our vision," said Murray Garnick, Altria's general counsel. "Juul has infringed upon our patents through the sale of its imported products, and we ask the ITC to impose appropriate remedies in response to these trade violations."

The complaint from Altria comes after Juul in June sued Altria's NJOY, alleging that the Altria subsidiary infringed on Juul patents.

Juul said in a statement it stands behind its intellectual property and "will continue to pursue our infringement claims."

Altria bought NJOY for at least $2.75 billion earlier this year. NJOY is one of the few e-cigarette makers whose products have clearance from federal regulators.

Altria this year also divested its stake in Juul after paying nearly $13 billion for the 35% stake in 2018. Altria traded its equity in Juul for nonexclusive rights to some of Juul's intellectual property related to heated tobacco devices.

Write to Will Feuer at Will.Feuer@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

August 22, 2023 13:29 ET (17:29 GMT)

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