On Monday, February 14th, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) issued a General Exclusion Order barring the importation of any unauthorized cartridges compatible with the JUUL System that infringe Juul Labs patented product designs, including compatible flavored pods and refillable pods. This is an important step towards eliminating a sector of illicit products that seek to circumvent federal policy and undercut underage-prevention measures.
This ruling follows a filing by Juul Labs submitted to the ITC on July 10, 2020 that sought a General Exclusion Order directed at all importers of unauthorized cartridges that copy Juul Labs’ patented pod designs without authorization.
“Today’s ITC ruling represents a major victory against manufacturers of illicit vapor products who seek to bypass regulations and undermine efforts to create a more responsible marketplace for the category,” said Wayne Sobon, Vice President, Intellectual Property at Juul Labs. “In addition to targeting the importation of all infringing products, regardless of the brand, this sweeping action will provide the additional public benefit of helping rid the market of unauthorized Juul-compatible products that can be modified by the user, such as empty and refillable pods.”
This is Juul Labs’ latest initiative in its global enforcement program to disrupt the illicit trade of vapor products and to create a more responsible marketplace for current adult users while addressing underage use.
Click here for more information on our past legal actions involving the U.S. International Trade Commission.
June 6, 2024
Today, the FDA rescinded its June 2022 Marketing Denial Orders (MDOs) for the JUUL System and placed our applications back into scientific review. We appreciate the FDA’s decision and now look forward to re-engaging with the agency on a science- and evidence-based process to pursue a marketing authorization for JUUL products.
December 19, 2023
Juul Labs has taken another important step in its path forward to introduce novel technologies that provide adult smokers an alternative to combustible cigarettes…
October 4, 2023
At a time when underage use of JUUL products has been cut by 95%, while usage of illicit disposable vapes from China is skyrocketing, it is disappointing to see the Florida Attorney General direct her state’s resources to suing Juul Labs.