Healthier Choices Mgmt Corp (HCMC)

[HDSS113]

this came from TDA
Healthier Choices Management Corp. Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Philip Morris
12/1/20 12:19 PM ET (GlobeNewswire)Print

Healthier Choices Management Corp. (OTC Pink: HCMC) today announced the filing of its patent infringement lawsuit against Philip Morris USA, Inc. and Philip Morris Products S.A. in connection with their product known and marketed as "IQOS." The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court For the Northern District Of Georgia.

The international law firm Cozen O'Connor has been engaged to represent HCMC in this matter.

HCMC's lawsuit includes claims that Phillip Morris is infringing HCMC's patent rights in connection with IQOS, an alternative tobacco product marketed and sold by Phillip Morris. Philip Morris claims that it is currently approaching 14 million users of its IQOS product and has reportedly invested over $3 billion in their smokeless tobacco products. Philip Morris has been very open about their ongoing transition from traditional fully combustible cigarettes to their modified risk tobacco products, including IQOS.

The Philip Morris IQOS product is currently the subject of two other patent infringement proceedings filed by RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company. One proceeding is before the International Trade Commission and seeks to stop the importation of the IQOS product into the United States; the other is a patent infringement action currently pending in the Eastern District of Virginia. RJ Reynolds' patents are unrelated and not affiliated with the patents asserted in the HCMC case.

"We are pleased that after a lengthy and careful analysis, a law firm with the patent litigation reputation and strength of Cozen O'Connor will be enforcing our patent rights," said Jeff Holman, CEO of HCMC.

Mr. Holman concluded, "We look forward to proving our allegations of infringement in this matter and intend to continue to move forward against any and all companies that infringe upon our intellectual property in both the tobacco and cannabis categories."