Comments on: Stogie News: High-Profile Cigar Counterfeiter Sentenced

By: Stogie Guys Friday Sampler XLX

Stogie Guys Friday Sampler XLX — Fri, 25 May 2007 14:55:11 +0000

[...] 1) Remember that high-profile cigar counterfeit case we’ve been talking about for over a year now? You know, the really complicated scenario where Altadis was controversially working hand-in-hand with the Miami-Dade police department to convict Juan Penton for alleged copyright infractions? Well, earlier this month the Miami New Times published a revealing exposé on the matter. It’s worth a read. As it turns out, Penton may not be as guilty as many previously thought. [...]

By: Sam

Sam — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 12:09:50 +0000

What I don't get, is how Altadis feels they have the exclusive rights to these brands yet they do not own the rights to the Cuban versions of these brands made by Habanos which the conterfeits were purported to be 'made in Cuba'

What happens if ever the embargo ends and shipments of the Cuban brands return to the US? Do the old families sue the Cuban brands? Do the Cuban brands sue Altadis to say they had no authority to buy the brands since they were nationalized? It could be a mess.

In any event protecting ones trademarks and brand is very important, but the methodology certainly seems suspect for what amounts to not a huge seizure- 3000- what 20 boxes of cigars maybe?? How much did the investigation and so on cost?? Sometimes it costs more to stop than it does to let it go- If I was a shareholder I might be upset it cost 100000 company dollars to stop someone taking 3000 of our business!

By: Mac and Nudo

Mac and Nudo — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 11:52:53 +0000

Now I'm no fan of fake Cubans, but doesn't that sentence seem a little harsh? I mean, five months house arrest, probation for five years, and a $7,500 fine…All for selling only $3,000 in counterfeit cigars to undercover cops (who were funded by a huge stogie manufacturer)? C'mon!