Philip Morris Loses Bid to Halt Iqos Import Ban in U.S.

Philip Morris was rebuffed in its efforts to continue selling the IQOS heated-tobacco sticks in the U.S. while it appeals a patent-infringement ruling won by Reynolds America.

• The U.S. International Trade Commission, in a notice posted on its website, says it won’t stay an import ban on the devices while the appeal is underway
• Philip Morris “fails to identify any admittedly difficult legal issue” that would merit a stay, the commission finds
• Philip Morris and Altria are challenging the commission’s decision that IQOS infringes two patents owned by British American Tobacco’s Reynolds unit
  • The trade agency imposed an import ...