Press Releases

Richard A. Kaplan, co-lead counsel for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
Chicago, Illinois
(312) 321- 4227
rkaplan@brinkshofer.com

"We applaud the thoughtful decision issued by Judge Garbis today. This has been a long, hard-fought case, and after six years of litigation, we are very pleased that our client, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, has been vindicated and has been found to have done nothing wrong," said Richard A. Kaplan, co-lead counsel and a shareholder at Chicago-Based Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the U.S.

Mr. Kaplan continued, "From Day 1, we have said that Star's case was totally without merit. This defense has been a team effort for my firm, and I want to thank all the many people at Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione that participated in achieving this victory. To put this decision in perspective, this is probably one of the largest defense wins in a patent case in history, since Star was seeking more than $1 billion and has now come away with nothing. As the court noted, Star made substantial, material false statements and omissions and deliberately mislead the PTO. The patents have now been expunged. This is a monumental win."

Ralph J. Gabric, co-lead counsel for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
Chicago, Illinois
(312) 321- 4253
rgabric@brinkshofer.com

"We are gratified by today's decision," said Ralph J. Gabric, co-lead counsel and a shareholder at Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione. "I have always thought that our client R.J. Reynolds was unfairly targeted just because of who they are. This decision confirms that the justice system works - no matter who you are - as revealed by the complete vindication of R.J. Reynolds."

R. J. Reynolds, the nation's second largest tobacco company, was also represented in case by Brinks' attorneys, K. Shannon Mrksich Ph.D. and Jerold A. Jacover.

Founded in 1917, Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione is based in Chicago with four additional offices across the country serving the intellectual property needs of clients from around the world. The firm is one of the largest IP law firms in the country, with more than 160 attorneys, scientific advisors and patent agents specializing in intellectual property litigation and all aspects of patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, unfair competition, intellectual asset management, and technology and licensing agreements.