ELFBAR and LOST MARY Battle Counterfeit Vaping Products
The global vape brands ELFBAR and LOST MARY are making significant strides in their dedicated campaign against counterfeit and imitation products. Recent updates reveal that these brands have successfully seized a staggering number of counterfeit items and launched numerous legal actions to protect their intellectual property rights. With over
50,000 infringing products confiscated through global law enforcement collaboration and
130,000 counterfeit units disrupted in clone factory operations, the fight against counterfeit vapes has gained momentum.
Victor Xiao, the global vice president of both brands, emphasized the importance of safeguarding intellectual property, stating, "Defending our intellectual property is not just about protecting our brands; it's our industry's duty to shield consumers from counterfeit goods. These products endanger user safety due to untested ingredients and substandard manufacturing practices."
A Global Crackdown on Counterfeits
Since the initiation of their joint global effort in September 2022, ELFBAR and LOST MARY have intensified their collaboration with law enforcement agencies to combat counterfeit distribution. Recent operations conducted in countries such as Czech Republic, Germany, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates have led to the confiscation of thousands of counterfeit units from retail stores.
One of the most notable operations occurred across the border between Germany and the Czech Republic, where over 30 retailers were found illegally distributing counterfeit ELFBAR products, highlighting the alarming scale of the problem. Investigators noted that these counterfeits were specifically tailored for the German market, complete with localized packaging, showcasing a calculated approach by counterfeiters to deceive consumers.
One Stop Over Legal Action
In addition to these prohibitive actions, ELFBAR and LOST MARY have been active in pursuing legal remedies. Since 2024 alone, more than
30 civil lawsuits for intellectual property infringement have been lodged in various markets, including mainland China, Germany, and Russia. A notable case in Germany corroborated the brand’s commitment when the court ruled against a company using the name 'ELFPRO,' finding it confusingly similar to ELFBAR, further reiterating the importance of protecting brand integrity.
Regarding domain names, the brands have also successfully resolved
119 disputes through arbitration, securing favorable outcomes and effectively shutting down domain names that infringed on their trademarks. They’ve taken down nearly
300 links to infringing websites globally, with significant efforts in the United States, where multiple imitation websites have been eliminated.
Unpacking Counterfeit Networks
Since launching their counterfeit fighting campaign in June 2021, ELFBAR and LOST MARY have been zealous advocates for counterfeit product repression, uniting with authorities worldwide. In 2024 alone, they assisted in shutting down
15 cloning factories which resulted in the seizure of more than
90,000 fake ELFBAR and LOST MARY vaporizers. This synergy between brands and regulatory bodies aims to dismantle the entire supply chain of counterfeits—from material suppliers and logistics managers to distributors, ensuring that counterfeit products are detected and intercepted at every stage.
A significant raid in Vietnam saw the confiscation of over
160,000 vaporizers, including tens of thousands of counterfeit LOST MARY products. Victor Xiao commented, "While intellectual property rights are crucial, nothing supersedes the safety of our adult users in their choice of harm reduction products. We encourage users to authentically validate products before use and report suspicious products and business practices."
Commitment Summit
In conclusion, ELFBAR and LOST MARY remain firmly dedicated to collaborating with global authorities in combating the manufacturing, distribution, and sale of counterfeit products, particularly imitations of their vapes. As they march forward in this critical campaign, both brands prioritize the safety and well-being of consumers, ensuring that authentic vaping alternatives remain available and accessible.
About ELFBAR
Established in 2018, ELFBAR has been at the forefront of the global vaping industry, delivering a unique and diverse vaping experience with innovation at its core. The brand is committed to preventing youth access while promoting sustainable growth as a leading choice for adult smokers seeking alternatives to tobacco.
About LOST MARY
LOST MARY is a global innovator in the vaping industry, dedicated to discovering the value in vaping. With a presence in over
50 markets, the brand has more than
200 patents worldwide and is preferred by millions of adult users seeking reliable quality in vaping products. For more details, visit
elfbar.com and
lostmary.com.