Philip Morris Goes After Counterfeiters
RICHMOND, Va. -- Philip Morris USA filed two lawsuits in federal court on
Tuesday in Los Angeles, Calif., aimed at stopping the importation, distribution,
and sale of counterfeit cigarettes and the unauthorized use of PM USA's
trademarks.
The suits arise from two seizures by the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border
Protection at the Port of Los Angeles. Sorensen Lighted Controls of Hartford,
Conn., was listed on Customs' Notice of Seizure as the importer of record of
47,378 cartons of counterfeit Marlboro cigarettes, with a date of entry into the
port of January 8, 2008. Similarly, Damakali S.A. de CV of Queretaro, Mexico,
was named on a Customs' Notice of Seizure as the importer of 28,260 cartons of
counterfeit Marlboro and Marlboro Lights cigarettes with a date of entry into
the port of December 20, 2007.
Speaking on behalf of PM USA, Charlie Whitaker, vice president compliance and
brand integrity for Altria Client Services said, "Importing and selling
counterfeit cigarettes is illegal, and the Marlboro brand is a frequent target
of counterfeiters. These lawsuits are the latest in a series of actions that
demonstrate our resolve to protecting PM USA's valuable trademarks."
This action is part of the company's continuing civil litigation effort against
importers of counterfeit cigarettes. Over the past four years, PM USA has filed
30 other cases against counterfeit importers in federal courts in California,
Florida, New York and Texas. In these cases, PM USA has prevailed against dozens
of individuals and entities involved in the importation of counterfeit
cigarettes.
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