In an escalating controversy within the lucrative vaping industry, a Chinese vape maker has lodged an accusation against a UK-based company, claiming infringment of its intellectual property rights. The allegation rests on the premise that the British firm has been selling products that bear an uncanny resemblance to the Chinese company’s SKE Crystal Bar vape.
In addition to the design similarities, the Chinese vape manufacturer also asserts that the UK rival is using the “Crystal” name in their product offering, which further infringes on their intellectual property rights. The Chinese company’s grievance extends to a claim of misrepresentation, accusing the UK company of selling these lookalike products to British consumers.
Whilst the original memo does not explore potential litigation or remedial measures sought by the Chinese firm, the conflict has well and truly come to a head, and may profoundly impact the international vaping market as it continues to expand and navigate an increasingly complex legal landscape. You can find more information about the matter over at Law360.