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- Feb 22, 2015
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HAVANA, Cuba (ACN) -- A ruling this week by the US Supreme Court favoured Cuba in litigation that has been underway for several years against an American company, which was marketing Dominican Republic cigars under the Cuban brand Cohiba.
The court declined to consider an appeal filed by the Delaware-based General Cigar company, thus sustaining a ruling by a federal appeals court in June 2014 that favoured the Cuban company.
Following Monday’s decision by the US Supreme Court, Cuba can request the cancellation of the patent on the Cohiba brand registered by General Cigar, which must be addressed to the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
General Cigar has been marketing Cohiba cigars, produced in the Dominican Republic, in the United States.
However, the Cuban company Cubatabaco is banned from selling its cigars in the US market due to the US commercial, financial and economic embargo against the island, though it can do so in other countries.
Culbro Corp, a company purchased by General Cigar, registered the Cohiba brand in the United States in 1981 and renewed the trademark again in 1995.
Cuba has registered the brand in 1972 in its territory, and later in over 100 countries.
In April 2013, Cuba accused the United States of stealing local commercial brands, following litigation between Cubatabaco Company and General Cigar.
The most recent measures announced by President Barack Obama allow US citizens visiting Cuba to import up to $100 in cigars, one of the most famous products of the island.
The court declined to consider an appeal filed by the Delaware-based General Cigar company, thus sustaining a ruling by a federal appeals court in June 2014 that favoured the Cuban company.
Following Monday’s decision by the US Supreme Court, Cuba can request the cancellation of the patent on the Cohiba brand registered by General Cigar, which must be addressed to the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
General Cigar has been marketing Cohiba cigars, produced in the Dominican Republic, in the United States.
However, the Cuban company Cubatabaco is banned from selling its cigars in the US market due to the US commercial, financial and economic embargo against the island, though it can do so in other countries.
Culbro Corp, a company purchased by General Cigar, registered the Cohiba brand in the United States in 1981 and renewed the trademark again in 1995.
Cuba has registered the brand in 1972 in its territory, and later in over 100 countries.
In April 2013, Cuba accused the United States of stealing local commercial brands, following litigation between Cubatabaco Company and General Cigar.
The most recent measures announced by President Barack Obama allow US citizens visiting Cuba to import up to $100 in cigars, one of the most famous products of the island.
