Vapur Obtains Injunction and Legal Fees Against Australian Importer/Wholesaler Peddling Lookalike "Anti-Bottles"

August 31, 2011

Company’s Court Action Stops Unauthorized Sales, Import of Copycat Product

Westlake Village, CA—August 31, 2012, VAPUR®, makers of the foldable, flexible, reusable and eco-responsible “Anti-Bottle,” has successfully obtained an injunction to stop an Australian importer and wholesaler from importing and/or selling a made-in-China flexible reusable water bottle. Soon after learning of the existence of the lookalike bottles at the Reed Gift Fair held in Melbourne, Australia  (August 6-10, 2011), Vapur filed the injunction with Australia’s federal court on August 12, 2011. On August 16, the importer and wholesaler was ordered by the court:

• To cease import and sales of the unauthorized knockoffs in Australia
• To immediately cease the use of Vapur graphics on any packaging
• To turn over any remaining stock of the foldable bottles
• To pay related legal costs incurred by Vapur.

“We have sent a very clear message to the marketplace that we will go after any company that infringes on our intellectual property rights,” said Brent Reinke, co-founder and COO of Vapur.  “Our product is unique, innovative and highly successful, and we will vigorously enforce these rights anywhere and everywhere, including Australia.” Vapur executives were made aware of the knockoffs during the Australia launch of the Anti-Bottle at the Reed Gift Fair, where they learned that the importer and wholesaler in question was promoting foldable, flexible water bottles with a similar packaging design featuring graphics which, among other things, violated Vapur copyrights.  When the company refused to comply with a cease and desist letter, Vapur filed the injunction, which successfully stopped the company from selling or importing the copycat bottles. The only authorized distributor of Vapur Anti-Bottles in Australia is Roxberry Group Pty Ltd. In May 2011, Vapur also filed a lawsuit against American wholesaler Reshine Promotions for producing and selling counterfeit Anti-Bottles. The suit, filed on May 26, 2011 in the United States District Court in the Central District of California, seeks damages for federal trademark counterfeiting, federal trademark infringement, federal design patent infringement, federal unfair competition and California unfair competition. To view consent orders related to the case from the Federal Court of Australia, visit https://www.comcourts.gov.au/file/Federal/P/NSD1353/2011/3620333/event/26633839/document/231691. To learn more about the original, authentic Vapur Anti-Bottle, visit www.drinkvapur.com.au.   About Vapur Inc. Founded in 2009, Vapur Inc., the company behind the original, authentic Anti-Bottle, a foldable, flexible, reusable, eco-friendly water bottle that has developed a cult following of celebrities, green activists, athletes and other active-lifestyle enthusiasts. Designed to make bottled water obsolete, Anti-Bottles are made in the USA, highly durable, freezable, dishwasher-safe and BPA-free, and can be rolled, folded or flattened when empty. Available in .4L and .5L, Vapur bottles come individually and in two-packs. Created out of a desire to make tap water infinitely portable, universally available and ethically sustainable, Vapur is led by a passionate team of professionals committed to designing fashionable, innovative and eco-responsible products. In keeping with its commitment to the environment, Vapur gives a portion of all Anti-Bottle sales to water-related and environmental causes. The Vapur Anti-Bottle is currently available in the USA, Canada, U.K., Europe, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and South Africa. For more information, visit www.drinkvapur.com.au. Follow @Vapur on Twitter and “like” them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/vapurtrail, to join the Vapur Trail. For press information, please contact: Pheobe Vile, PVPR.  0414 942 845 or phoebe@pvpr.com.au

###