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2nd tobacco company fights Australian logo ban

Thu Dec 1, 2011 6:38 AM EST
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Associated Press

In this computer-generated image provided by the Minister for Health and Ageing of Australia, proposed cigarette packaging stripped of all logos and replaced with graphic images that tobacco companies in Australia will be forced to use is shown. British American Tobacco launched legal action against the Australian government on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, challenging the country's tough new law that ban logos and advertising from cigarette packs. (AP Photo/Minister for Health and Ageing) EDITORIAL USE ONLY

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CANBERRA — A second major tobacco company has gone to Australia's High Court to argue that new laws banning logos from cigarette packs are unconstitutional.

Imperial Tobacco Australia Ltd. on Tuesday filed pleadings in the country's highest court. British American Tobacco Australia Ltd. last week initiated similar action against laws banning distinctive colors and designs from packs and render them uniformly olive-brown starting December 2012.

Imperial Tobacco argues the laws breach Australia's constitution because they acquire intellectual property on unjust terms.

Australia last month became the first country to pass such strict packaging laws aimed at stripping away any lingering glamour associated with smoking.

© 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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