Parties involved: R.J. Reynolds Vapor Co. (subsidiary of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., maker of Vuse Alto e-vapor product) opposes Altria Client Services LLC (parent linked to Philip Morris, owner of infringed patents on e-vapor pod assemblies); U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina (Judge Thomas D. Schroeder/Tilley Jr.) oversees; broader context includes Federal Circuit and prior ITC proceedings.[1][2][5][6][7]
Basic context and timeline: Altria sued Reynolds in 2020 alleging Vuse Alto infringed three patents (filed 2015) on e-vapor pod technology. A September 2022 jury verdict found infringement, awarded Altria $95.2 million in past damages (through June 2022) at a 5.25% royalty rate, and rejected Reynolds' invalidity defense; post-trial motions denied January 2023.[2][6][7][10] Reynolds appealed, but the Federal Circuit fully affirmed the verdict and ongoing royalties on December 19, 2024.[2][5][11] This subpoena fight follows in post-judgment royalty proceedings through patent expiration in 2035; separate ITC win for Reynolds (2021-2023) barred Philip Morris/Altria's IQOS imports.[3]
Newsworthy now: Reported April 6, 2026, this procedural clash tests attorney-client privileges and live testimony limits post-affirmance, amid escalating U.S. tobacco patent wars between giants controlling e-vapor/heat-not-burn markets.[1][8]