This is actually alot more serious than 1st read especially if the patents in question are ALL of hon lik's patents.
The priamry patent that i have found reference to is patent
US 8393331 B2
This particular patent would remove all competition (if won) on the cig-alike, the one that at a complete guesstimate majority of vapers picked up 1st. You know the one that is all in one with a led on the end. If the case id won then i would not be surprised if imperial either removed the product entirely from the market or outpriced it from most peoples curiosity spending.
Now thats one device, but if you go through the patents mr lik (great name) also holds and now by virtue imperial now hold due to the sale of dragonite (mr liks company) last year he also holds the patent on the more commonly used ego/evod style vape kit
US 20130276798 A1
That would probably see them removed from the market as imperial dont even currently have their own version of them yet on the market.
Given the fact that a patent search for mr lik yeilded over 3000 results (alot of which are updates to previous patents) and the fact the majority of ecigs still come from china who knows exactly what patents imperial now hold and can block other small companies from using or shutting down if they do.
Its now time for manufacturers to get smart, start developing their own devices properly and patenting their results, if they dont these big asshats will and sue the inventor for their invention. They lost in the EU battle now its down to what they do best, throw money at it buy anything and playing dirty, this war just entered a new front
