WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Oct. 15 2004 LAWFUEL – Lawsuit, law, legal, attorney, law firm news A jury in Federal
Court – North District of Illinois today unanimously ruled in favor of R.J.
Reynolds Tobacco Company in an antitrust suit brought against the company by
Cigarettes Cheaper, a retailer headquartered in Benicia, Calif.
“We are pleased with today’s ruling,” said Darryl Marsch, senior counsel
for R.J. Reynolds. “We have always believed that our trade programs are fair
and equitable, and the unanimous ruling by the jury certainly confirms that.”
Cigarettes Cheaper had accused R.J. Reynolds of wrongfully denying the
retailer the opportunity to participate in the tobacco company’s promotions
and discount offers, in violation of Robinson-Patman antitrust laws.
“We consistently offered Cigarettes Cheaper the opportunity to participate
in our programs,” Marsh added. “They simply kept turning us down.”
Earlier this year, a jury in the same court awarded R.J. Reynolds
$3.6 million in damages for trademark infringement committed by Cigarettes
Cheaper.
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (R.J. Reynolds) is an indirect wholly owned
subsidiary of Reynolds American Inc. (NYSE: RAI). R.J. Reynolds is the
second-largest tobacco company in the United States, manufacturing about one
of every three cigarettes sold in the United States. R.J. Reynolds’ product
line includes five of the nation’s 10 best-selling cigarette brands: Camel,
Winston, KOOL, Salem and Doral. For more information about R.J. Reynolds,
visit the company’s Web site at http://www.RJRT.com .
Web Site: http://www.rjrt.com
