On June 3, 2021, the ITC released the public version
(see Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV) of the final initial
determination ("ID") issued by ALJ Clark S. Cheney
finding a violation of section 337 in Certain Tobacco Heating
Articles and Components Thereof (Inv. No. 337-TA-1199).
By way of background, this investigation was based on an April
9, 2020 complaint filed by RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.; R.J.
Reynolds Vapor Company; and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
(collectively, "Complainants") alleging violations of
section 337 by Respondents Altria Client Services LLC; Altria
Group, Inc.; Philip Morris USA, Inc.; Philip Morris International
Inc.; and Philip Morris Products S.A. (collectively,
"Respondents") through the importation and/or sale of
certain tobacco heating articles that infringed one or more claims
of U.S. Patent Nos. 9,839,238 ("the '238 patent");
9,901,123 ("the '123 patent"); and 9,930,915
("the '915 patent") (collectively, the "Asserted
Patents").
