Business · Companies · 6 hrs ago
KT&G faces criminal dispute with e-cigarette supplier over alleged technology theft
A dispute over KT&G’s lil e-cigarette business has become a criminal case.
The supplier says South Korea’s largest tobacco company used its stronger position in the business relationship to try to take its technology.
It says it ended the relationship after refusing KT&G’s demands.
KT&G says it met its contract obligations and broke no laws.
The companies had already clashed in court, where KT&G sued the supplier over patents and effectively lost.
The dispute now involves both criminal allegations and a patent fight, but no next steps are specified.
A dispute between KT&G and an e-cigarette supplier has escalated into a criminal case.
The supplier alleges that KT&G tried to take its technology by using its stronger position in the business relationship.
The supplier says KT&G ended their dealings after it refused to meet the company’s demands.
KT&G says it fulfilled its contract and did not engage in illegal business practices.
KT&G previously filed a patent lawsuit against the supplier and effectively lost.
- Who
- KT&G and an e-cigarette supplier.
- What
- Their dispute has expanded into a criminal case over alleged technology theft.
- When
- Not stated.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- The supplier alleges KT&G tried to take its technology and ended their business relationship after it refused to meet KT&G’s demands; KT&G denies wrongdoing.
The supplier
KT&G
Technology
The supplier
The supplier alleges KT&G used its stronger business position to try to take its technology.
KT&G
KT&G says it fulfilled its contract and engaged in no illegal business practices.
End of business relationship
The supplier
The supplier says KT&G ended dealings after it refused to meet KT&G’s demands.
KT&G
Not stated.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Companies involved
- KT&G and an e-cigarette supplier
- Dispute status
- Escalated into a criminal case
- Supplier's allegation
- KT&G tried to take its technology
- KT&G's response
- It fulfilled its contract and engaged in no illegal business practices
- Earlier legal case
- KT&G filed a patent lawsuit against the supplier and effectively lost