ND1123113

Title: Philip Morris Challenges Australia Packaging Law

Description: The tobacco firm claims the ?plain packs? restrict the use of their intellectual property without payment.

Page Content:

SYDNEY ? Philip Morris is legally testing Australia?s new ?plain pack? law, due to go into effect in December 2012, the Financial Times reports. The tobacco company has requested the law?s suspension and damages, which could reach ?billions of dollars.?

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Philip Morris?s argument is that the dark olive brown packaging with uniform fonts and accompanying large health warnings and graphic images that encompass 75 percent of the front and 90 percent of the back unfairly restricts the firm?s ability to use intellectual property. British American Tobacco is expected to file a similar, separate challenge with the Australian High Court.

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?Plain packaging means that the glamour is gone from smoking,? said Nicola Roxon, Australia?s health minister. The country is the first to call for plain packaging, and many countries, including the United Kingdom, are looking into the same type of law.

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?The government has passed this legislation despite being unable to demonstrate that it will be effective at reducing smoking and has ignored the widespread concerns raised in Australia and internationally regarding the serious legal issues associated with plain packaging,? said a spokeswoman with Philip Morris.

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Tobacco companies also contend that plain packaging will give counterfeiters an easier job of copying their products.

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Content Subject: International

Formatted Article Date: November 23, 2011

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