Star Seeks New Patent Infringement Trial

Source from:  Tobacco Reporter 07/09/2009

Star Scientific has asked the US District Court in Maryland to set aside a June 16 jury verdict in respect of Star's patent infringement lawsuit against RJ Reynolds Tobacco, and to grant Star a new trial. The jury ruled the patents in question, involving a method of treating tobacco substantially to prevent the formation of tobacco-specific nitrosamines, were invalid and not infringed. Star indicated in a note posted on its website that if its motion for a new trial were denied, it would file a notice of appeal with the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Paul L. Perito, Star's chairman and president, commented that the company "was disappointed and troubled by the inexplicable jury verdict that was reached in the trial". "We believe the verdict was contrary to the evidence presented on both infringement and validity, and that the company will be vindicated at the conclusion of the judicial process," he added. Enditem