PM USA to Appeal ''Lights'' Judgement Reinstatement

Source from:  Tobacco Journal International  05/04/2014

Philip Morris USA will contest the decision of an Illinois appeals court to reinstate a USD 10 billion (EUR 7.2 billion) judgement against the cigarette maker for using 'lights' in product descriptions, parent company Altria said.
 
Action by the Illinois Fifth District Appellate Court to reinstate the 2003 judgment goes against a 2005 reversal by the state Supreme Court. The cigarette company will seek another review by the Supreme Court, Altria said.

"Almost 10 years ago the Illinois Supreme Court reversed the (Price v. Philip Morris Inc; 00-L112) judgment as contrary to Illinois law," said Murray Garnick, associate general counsel at Altria Client Services. "The Fifth District Court of Appeals' decision today (29 April) conflicts with that ruling and essentially overrules a decision of a higher court."

In 2005 the Illinois Supreme Court overturned a USD 10.1 billion judgment against PM USA by former Madison County Circuit Judge Byron, sitting without a jury, Altria said. The original case, filed in 2000, alleged Illinois smokers were deceived in purchasing Marlboro Lights and Cambridge Lights cigarettes and, therefore, entitled to a refund. The ruling precedes action by the US Food and Drug Administration to ban use of the word 'lights'. Enditem