Why is Habanos SA changing its history

[pedromendes]

Looking at my cigar band collection the other night, I noticed a subtle change to the RyJ - the company founders were removed.

Going through Trevor's site just now and I had a look at all the bands that have been changed:

Hoyo

"Jose Gener" replaced by "Havana Cuba"

Partagas

"Flor de Tabacos de Cifuentes y Cia y Compania" replaced with "Cuba"

RyJ

"Rodriquez Arguelles Y Cia" replaced with "Desde 1875"

Punch

"Manuel Lopez" replaced by "Cuba"

Por Larranaga

"Marca Independiente" replaced with "Vuelta Abajo"

Rafael Gonzalez

"Gonzalez" replaced with "Habana Cuba"

In other words, in the last 10 years or so, Habanos SA has completely erased the history of these brands from their bands. I can't attest to similar changes on the boxes, but I'd love to entertain some guesses as to why this unfortunate change has happened?

[Ginseng]

Good catch of a fascinating phenomenon. Would like to hear some theories as well.

Wilkey

[El Presidente]

I am only guessing but some countries have very strict "Truth in Labelling" laws.

ie if you are going to run with "Marca Independente"....it had better be an "independent brand"

[CaptainQuintero]

Maybe something to do with getting Cuban cigars ready for the end of the embargo in a way that satisfies the decendents of the marcas that were nationalised during the revolution?

[pedromendes]

Maybe something to do with getting Cuban cigars ready for the end of the embargo in a way that satisfies the decendents of the marcas that were nationalised during the revolution?

Yeah, that's my guess too. Would sort of be hard to deny someone's claim to a product if their name was still on it!

[Matt Day]

intrestingly enougth althougth the bands are chnaging the boxes arnt just looked at a recent punch box and it still says maneul lopez.

[Lotusguy]

I just checked with a Jun 11 box of RG Panetelas Extra I received today and yes, they have now embossed the band and changed the wording...