Interesting...

[Simon-JG-hr]

I've been working my way around the tobacco company websites tonight, and have come up with some interesting thoughts...

Imperial Tobacco (one of our own), owns Altadis. Altadis own a 50% stake in Habanos SA. Altadis also own the non-Cuban rights to a range of names (for in the States), such as RyJ, H Uppmann and Montecristo. Does this mean that we have an odd situation where two competing copyrights are essentially owned by the same company (albeit they only own half of the copyright to the Cuban version).

[misterbulgarin]

does the mind ponder issues like this at 1am?

[Simon-JG-hr]

Yes it does...

I actually went to bed immediately after writing that first post. I picked up a copy of CA (Feb09) for some bedtime reading and read an article/feature that ended on a similar note. James Suckling (the 'European Editor' - read 'Cuban Editor' ) hinted that Imperial Tobacco's finger in both pies (through Altadis) could be the deal clincher when/if the embargo is lifted when it comes to chosing the Cuban cigar distributor in the States.

[whisky77]

Minefield

Yes it does...

I actually went to bed immediately after writing that first post. I picked up a copy of CA (Feb09) for some bedtime reading and read an article/feature that ended on a similar note. James Suckling (the 'European Editor' - read 'Cuban Editor' ) hinted that Imperial Tobacco's finger in both pies (through Altadis) could be the deal clincher when/if the embargo is lifted when it comes to chosing the Cuban cigar distributor in the States.

There are a lot of US lawyers waiting with baited breath for the trade embargo to end because the copyright legislation and trademark legalities with some of the US brands will keep them in work till they retire.I have read through various publications on this matter and it is a legal minefield.

[Deano]

It's very interesting, definitely worth you bringing it up. I can see it perfectly feasible that one company owns both copyrights (even partially).

[Big Al]

It's very interesting, definitely worth you bringing it up. I can see it perfectly feasible that one company owns both copyrights (even partially).

And, if so, they will be rubbing their hands with glee at the thought of an easing on Cuban import restrictions to the US of A!

[Simon-JG-hr]

Deano, precisely why I think that they are the front runner for the American distribution contract (when it inevitably arises). Not just that they own half of Habanos SA...

RyJ and Montecristo are big enough names anyway, throw in copyright ownership of Uppmann, Saint Luis Rey, Quintero, Trinidad and Por Larranaga in the States and you've got a good basis for getting Cubans into the States with their Cuban names - with possible renaming of the NC branded products. I suspect they will want to continue producing the NCs, as has been discussed elsewhere, the American market aren't just going to desert their NCs just because habanos come back onto the scene.

Unrelated to Altadis/Imperial Tobacco, but it'll be interesting to see how the Cohiba battle pans out... As I understand it, there have been a number of legal battles, and I believe there continue to be a number of legal battles in the States over the usage of the Cohiba name... With the examples of RyJ etc, they were all brands which moved when Communism and nationalization took hold in Cuba. As the original owners of the name were the people that moved them, it is accepted that the Cubans (who essentially 'stole' the names under nationalization) have not got the rights to use them were they to be allowed back into the American market. With Cohiba, however, it was a brand creted post-nationalization, and the NC brand was named after the Cuban brand. (Ripping them off? Possibly a bit harsh, but certainly piggy-backing on the name). So, unlike the others, Cohiba is actually a Cuban government brand-name.

I'll be watching that battle very intently if/when the embargo looks close to ending.