The U.S. International Trade Commission on Monday ruled definitively in favor of U.S. the cannabis vapor products manufacturer Advanced Vapor Devices (AVD) after a year-long patent infringement case brought by China-based e-cigarette maker Shenzhen Smoore Technology Limited.
The commission affirmed an administrative law judge’s February 2023 finding of no violation of Smoore’s CCELL’s coil patents. Under the ruling, there is no violation by AVD’s cartridges, components, or products.
“Today is an enormous victory for the U.S. cannabis vaping sector,” stated AVD Co-Founder and CEO Alex Kwon in a release. “AVD’s disruptive technology, reliability, and exceptional service will enable us to safeguard our rights and innovate for our clients’ benefit.”
“We are grateful to the International Trade Commission for exposing CCELL’s bullying of U.S. companies,” said Michael Brosgart, AVD chief operating officer. “AVD shouldered the burden of this litigation because we are committed to our industry, and believe consumers deserve the highest quality products. We can’t wait to share our upcoming innovations.”
Out of nearly 7 million premarket tobacco product applications (PMTAs), only 23 e-cigarette-style products have been approved for marketing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Most of the approved products have been manufactured by Smoore International Holdings, through its subsidiary, Shenzhen Smoore Technology, which manufactures the Njoy Ace, Njoy Daily, Logic Power and Logic Pro devices.
Cannabis vaping products are not regulated on a federal level.