February 11, 2002 - 22:44 AMT
"DAVIDOFF" PRODUCER LOST TRIAL AGAINST "SPS CIGARONNE" ARMENIAN TOBACCO COMPANY
European court on economic cases has declined the lawsuit against "SPS Cigaronne" Armenian firm filed by "Reemstma" German-Swiss company, which produces "Davidoff" worldwide famous cigarettes. As we have already reported, "Reemstma" accused "SPS Cigaronne" that its production design includes some elements similar to those of "Davidoff" pack. Based on this the plaintiff demanded depriving the elite tobacco Armenian producer of the right to sell the production in Benelux market. But the Dutch judge did not consider using octahedral pack enough to indict in plagiarism. Thus, "SPS Cigaronne" not only maintained its right to presence in the European market, but also very successfully advertised its production due to the lawsuit. Let us note that some 75% of the Yerevan firm production is sold outside Armenia, even being supplied to Azerbaijan in a roundabout way. The Armenian producer's production successfully competes with "Davidoff" cigarettes in the international market. The volume of production of "Cigaronne" increased 30% in the course of the last year. The owners of the company - Yeroyan brothers intend to continue expanding the production.