Marlboro maker sues rival Lorillard |
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Wed, 31 Oct 2007 18:44
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RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Philip Morris USA, moving to protect its signature cigarette, sued Lorillard Tobacco Co. claiming its use of the letter 'M' to promote its Newport cigarettes cashes in on Philip Morris's iconic Marlboro brand.The nation's No. 1 tobacco company filed suit in U.S. District Court seeking to block Lorillard from using an 'M' in its packaging for Newport, contending it unfairly infringes on its top-selling brand.'For over fifty years Philip Morris USA has devoted significant resources and assets to build the value of its Marlboro brand and trademarks,' Philip Morris states in its suit, filed this week.Lorillard, which is based in Greensboro, N.C., filed an application in February with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to register 'M Newport Blend' and 'M Newport Blend The Way to Chill' as trademarks.The Richmond tobacco giant claims Lorillard is engaged in 'a blatant attempt to trade on the long-standing goodwill and equity of Philip Morris USA's M mark and its related Marlboro brand.'Philip Morris USA asked the court to find Lorillard in violation of Marlboro's trademark; block the company from using the 'M' logo with its Newport cigarettes or any other brand; and to pay compensatory damages, among other demands.A Lorillard spokesman did not immediately return a telephone message on Wednesday.Marlboro is the most popular cigarette in the United States, with a 39.1 percent share of the retail market. Philip Morris brands have a 47.1 share, a spokesman said Wednesday.Lorillard, which is a subsidiary of Loews Corp., had a 10 percent share of the U.S. cigarette market. The Newport brand had a 9 percent share.Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Marlboro maker seeks safer products 