Tag: VPR

  • VPR Settles 3 More Patent Suits for Auto-Draw Technology

    VPR Settles 3 More Patent Suits for Auto-Draw Technology

    Illustration: VPR Brands

    XL Vape, VGOD and Saltnic have agreed to pay VPR brands $155,000 to settle patent-infringement litigation related to VPR’s auto-draw technology, according to a press release. As part of the deal, VPR brands has granted each of the companies a non-exclusive license to practice the invention set forth in the disputed intellectual property.

    Dating from 2009, U.S. patent 8,205,622 covers electronic cigarette products containing an electric airflow sensor, including a sensor comprised of a diaphragm microphone. The sensor turns the battery on and off, and covers most auto-draw, button less e-cigarettes, cig-a-likes, pod devices and vaporizers using an airflow sensor rather than a button. The technology is covered under electronic cigarette utility patent

    VPR Brands has started to identify and notify over 50 of the leading companies using its auto-draw technology. XL Vape, VGOD and Saltnic were prioritized based on their sales volumes and popularity.

    According to VPR Brands, most nicotine vaping devices sold in the U.S. today utilize an auto-draw/button-less technology. The company is investigating all button-less vape devices within the nicotine, CBD, and cannabis space that initiate vaporization from the user’s airflow inhalation as they would be suspect of infringement.

    The company says it may also seek a buyer for its patent in the future, citing the example of Ruyan, which in August 2013 sold its e-cigarette patent to Imperial Tobacco group for $75 million.

    VPR’s settlement with XL Vape, VGOD and Saltnic follows earlier settlements with Nepa 2 Wholesale and HQDTech, and PHD Marketing.

  • PHD Marketing Settles VPR Brands IP Dispute for $85,000

    PHD Marketing Settles VPR Brands IP Dispute for $85,000

    Illustration: VPR Brands

    PHD Marketing has agreed to pay VPR Brands $85,000 to settle an intellectual property dispute. As part of the deal, VPR Brands has granted PHD a nonexclusive, non-assignable license to practice the invention set forth in the patent.

    This U.S. patent includes claims covering electronic cigarette products containing an electric airflow sensor, including a sensor comprised of a diaphragm microphone. The sensor turns the battery on and off, and covers most auto-draw, e-cigarettes, cigalikes, pod devices and vaporizers using an airflow sensor rather than a button.

    VPR previously filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California alleging patent infringement of U.S. Patent by PHD.

    “I want to once again thank our legal team at SRIPLAW for their hard work and diligence in settling this matter,” said VPR CEO Brands Kevin Frija in a statement. “It is a Win-Win for All parties when a dispute can be settled ahead of trial.”

    Previously, HQDTECH USA and Nepa 2 Wholesale agreed to pay more than $275,000 to VPR Brands for infringing on the same patent.

  • VPR Brands Reports ‘Turnaround’ in Second Quarter

    VPR Brands Reports ‘Turnaround’ in Second Quarter

    Photo: snowing12

    VPR Brands, a supplier of vaporizers, reported revenues of $1.7 million for the second quarter of 2021, up from $1.2 million in the comparable 2020 quarter.

    The increase was a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, which hampered sales significantly in 2020 and increased direct on-line sales in 2021.

    Operating expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2021, were $457,895, compared to $372,652 for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in expenses is primarily due to increased sales activity in 2021.

    Revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2021, was $2.96 million, compared with $1.8 million in the second quarter of 2020.

    Operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2021, were $995,798, compared to $849,476 for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in expenses is primarily due to increased sales activity in 2021.

    Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2021, was $163,135 compared to a net loss of $471,944 for the six months ended June 30, 2020.

    Net income for the three months ended June 30, 2021, was $264,786 compared to a net loss of $50,354 for the three months ended June 30, 2020.

    “The company has finally put the pandemic and other extenuating circumstances behind us and is back on track,” said Kevin Frija, CEO of VPR Brands, in a statement. “The numbers, which show a tremendous turnaround from last year, speak for themselves as our team is focused on maintaining not only steady growth but most importantly profitability.”

  • VPR Files 3 More Suits for Auto-Draw IP Infringement

    VPR Files 3 More Suits for Auto-Draw IP Infringement

    VPR Brands has filed lawsuits against three more vapor companies for violating its “auto draw” patent. The company filed a lawsuit against three previous companies in February. The company owns intellectual property rights for one of the original patents filed for electronic cigarette technology.

    vaping devices
    Credit: VPR

    The patent dates back to 2009 and includes independent claims covering vaping products containing an electric airflow sensor, including a sensor comprised of a diaphragm microphone. The sensor turns the battery on and off, and covers auto-draw, button less e-cigarettes, cigalikes, pod devices and vaporizers using an airflow sensor.

    “Just this week we have filed three additional lawsuits which brings the total to six with many more expected and likely as almost every company in the vape space has at least one product which uses the Patented “auto draw” technology.” said Kevin Frija, CEO of VPR Brands. “We will be aggressively pursuing every company infringing on our patent no matter how small or how large they maybe.”

    VPR Brands along with SRIPLAW has started to identify and notify over 50 of the leading companies. These companies were prioritized, based on sales volume and popularity. Most recently VPR Brands LP and its legal team, headed by Joel B Rothman of SRIPLAW, have filed litigation against Mong LLC, B&G Trading LLC, and Lightfire Holding LLC. The three previous suits were filed against Jupiter Research, Cool Clouds Distribution and XL Vape.

    “We want to make sure VPR Brands Patent which is valid until 2030 is enforced and our Intellectual property rights are protected,” said Frija. “We intend to send a clear message to the industry that we mean business and of course, as they say, “business is business” it’s nothing personal, in the end its just business.”

  • VPR Brands Enforcing its ‘Auto Draw’ Patent

    VPR Brands Enforcing its ‘Auto Draw’ Patent

    VPR Brands has started to identify and notify over 50 vapor industry companies that are using its “Auto Draw Technology” that VPR intends to enforce its patent. These companies were prioritized, based on sales volume and popularity, according to a press release.

    vaping devices
    Credit: VPR

    VPR recently filed litigation against three of the companies: Jupiter Research, Cool Clouds Distribution and XL Vape. Additional lawsuits will continue to be filed as necessary to protect the company’s intellectual property (IP) rights, according to the release.

    “Having personally been in the vape industry since its infancy for more than 10 years and witnessing the evolution of ecig and vapor technology, it is befitting that our company owns this US utility patent for what has grown to be a multibillion-dollar market,” said Kevin Frija, CEO of VPR Brands. “The inner construction of an e-cigarette is quite simple and fairly standard, and it is obvious as to what our auto draw technology patent covers, and potential infringement is rather clear when you see it.”

    The company owns IP for one of the original patents filed for e-cigarette technology, dating back to 2009. It includes “independent claims covering electronic cigarette products containing an electric airflow sensor, including a sensor comprised of a diaphragm microphone. The sensor turns the battery on and off, and covers auto-draw, button-less e-cigarettes, cigalikes, pod devices and vaporizers using an airflow sensor. The technology is covered under electronic cigarette utility patent US 8205622,” the release states.

    “The surge of the vaping category for nicotine, cannabis and CBD in the last few years has reached billions of dollars in sales. That has created opportunities for our patented auto-draw technology, which we believe is now preferred by many, if not most consumers,” said Frija. “Infringement can be avoided by simply adding a button to the battery however the preferred option by consumers to simulate smoking is our button-less auto draw technology and we believe this is an opportune time to consider licensing, enforcement or potentially a sale of our intellectual property to one of the larger players in the space. Our Patent could be a huge windfall for the company.”

    The company may also seek a buyer for this patent in the future. “In recent years, our patented technology has surged back into popularity making our patent potentially very valuable,” ” said Dan Hoff COO of VPR. “I am happy to see our company and legal team actively litigating to enforce our intellectual property.”