Habanos SA & Hunters & Frankau Won a Court Decision

[Tampa1257]

[link]http://www.habanos.com/corteSupremaUK.asp?i=ing[/link]

Corporación Habanos S.A. and Hunters & Frankau Limited, its distributor in the United Kingdom, welcome today's decision by the High Court enforcing Corporación Habanos SA's legal right to prevent cigars being imported from Cuba into the EEA without its consent.

Jeremy Hertzog, the lead partner on the case at Mishcon de Reya, attorneys to Hunters and Frankau, commented that: "The High Court has once again delivered a message to parallel importers that you are not allowed to import trade marked products into the EEA unless you have the real consent of the trade mark owner itself; the consent of a distributor acting outside its remit will not be good enough. This judgment will be welcome news for brand owners concerned at the risk that the quality of their goods may be compromised through uncontrolled distribution channels".

Buyers of fine cigars should be aware that the authenticity of Corporación Habanos SA cigars can only be guaranteed if they are purchased through the authorized channels. Hunters & Frankau will continue to guarantee, through its English Market Selection stamp, the high quality and authenticity of the Havana cigars that it distributes in the United Kingdom, as it has done for two centuries.

Hunters & Frankau is grateful for the considerable support and encouragement it has received during the course of this litigation from members of the cigar trade. Further, Hunters & Frankau assures them, and all those with an interest in the fine cigar business, that, in conjunction with Corporación Habanos SA, it will continue to uphold the reputation of the Havana cigar trade and the famous Habanos brands.

I thought this breaking news was informative and interesting. Discuss as you will

[Black Plague]

Do you think this will put a substantial dent in counterfeiting in the UK?

[tey]

what will it do to the grey markets if anything?

[El Presidente]

Thanks Tampa

Great result for H&F and one I believe they will enforce with vigour.

With the changes in UK smoking laws to take effect 1 July 2007 and the resultant estimated up tp 40% drop in trade, every stick counts.

[Taino]

About a week ago I spoke with friend at HF and told me that many in the company were expecting the opposite, the air was very tight the past two months in HF, I imagine now they’ll be breathing again.

On other hand I don’t know how good or bad can be this for the market, I love competition and does not help in this direction, on the other hand CC is a special market with lost of fakes, counterfits, special taxes, special rules… who knows.

[Mel]

I beleive this a victory for the smokers of Habanos cigars. I do not always support the voice of the corperate machine but this one was needed.

[connoiseur29]

This was an interesting decision. It may keep prices high in England. I don't know if the opposite decision would have affected quality though. I guess the monopoly continues. I think it's a necessary monopoly though, for the present time anyway.