LONDON – The British American Tobacco (BAT) announced that it has reached a global settlement with Philip Morris International Inc (PMI) that resolves all ongoing patent infringement litigation between the parties related to our heated tobacco and vapor products, according to the official website of BAT. 

Patent protection is a critical component of the innovation driving BAT’s strategies and the company welcomes this settlement as the best path forward for its business plans.

The settlement includes non-monetary provisions between BAT and PMI that resolve all ongoing global patent infringement litigation, encompassing all related injunctions and exclusion orders, and prevents future claims against current heated tobacco and vapour products. The settlement also allows each party to innovate and introduce product iterations. BAT is committed to continued innovation in reduced risk products to further advance Tobacco Harm Reduction.

Tadeu Marroco, Chief Executive of BAT, said: “This agreement is an important step forward for BAT and all our stakeholders. Having already built two £1bn brands in Vuse and glo, the potential for their continued impact on Tobacco Harm Reduction is clear. I am delighted that this settlement will allow BAT to focus on developing innovative solutions that provide adult consumers with a greater choice of reduced-risk products in support of our A Better Tomorrow purpose. By doing so, we will help build a smokeless world for the benefit of consumers, investors and society as a whole.”