R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY WINS PATENT INFRINGEMENT SUIT
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company applauds today's decision in favor
of the company in a patent infringement lawsuit brought by Star
Scientific, Inc. (Star). The Court ruled Star engaged in
inequitable conduct before the U.S. Patent Office in obtaining
patents involving a method of treating tobacco to substantially
prevent the formation of tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs).
"The Judge ruled in our favor on virtually every pending issue,"
said August Borschke, chief patent counsel for R.J. Reynolds.
"Today's ruling validates what R.J. Reynolds proved at trial:
that Star's patents are unenforceable."
In finding that Star had deceived the patent office, Federal
District Court Judge Marvin J. Garbis stated: "The Court finds
RJR to have made a strong showing of materiality and intent. The
Court, therefore, concludes that it should, and shall, exercise
its discretion to determine the Patents-in-Suit unenforceable by
virtue of inequitable conduct ... "
