Tobacco giant Philip Morris has filed eight lawsuits in US
federal court against companies and individuals who sell and
promote its products over the internet, alleging that they violate
Philip Morris trade marks and import the company’s cigarettes into
the US in breach of federal laws.
The suits, filed in New York and California federal courts by
the company’s domestic unit, allege that the web sites have
violated trade mark and competition laws by misusing Philip Morris
trademarks “in an effort to attract internet users”.
Philip Morris also claims that its trade marks were wrongfully
used in “company names and promotional materials”. In addition, the
lawsuits allege that the internet-based vendors sell cigarettes
without complying with tax legislation while making false
statements that their products are tax-exempt.
The web sites named in the lawsuits include
Europecigarettes.com, Cheapmarlboro.com and
Discount-marlboro-cigarettes.com. Philip Morris said in a statement
that it plans to file additional lawsuits in the coming weeks.
