NEWS RELEASE
Cigar News: Kurt A. Kendall Abandons Branding Lawsuit, Closes Out Remaining Spider Inventory
Kurt A. Kendall, founder and president of 7-20-4 Cigars, has abandoned the copyright-infringement court battle with Iconic Leaf Cigars, LLC. According to Vice President of Sales/Marketing Rick Ardito, “7-20-4 Cigars has built its reputation and sales by prevailing in the marketplace with unique and very extraordinary cigars. We choose to continue doing what we do best there, rather than in a courtroom.”
The controversy concerned Kendall’s latest (2011) boutique “Spider,” which was offered on a limited basis. Spider‘s initial success prompted full production in 2013.
The original Spider brand dates back to the 1930s, when it was born in the Somersworth, New Hampshire cigar factory of Charles N. Hurd. The line faded into history until Kendall resurrected it. His penchant is bringing archaic New England brands back to life, and all his lines reflect this theme.
Unfortunately and unknowingly, although the line was dead, the competitor filed a suit for copyright infringement (“causing confusion in the market”), based on the similarity of the two companies’ spider images. 7-20-4’s management team has decided an arduous and expensive court fight wasn’t worth it.
A court ruling has given Kendall time to clear the Spider inventory, starting at press time. “We see this excellent brand becoming a collector’s item,” states Ardito. “It features a super-cured, high-primed Jalapa wrapper. The presentation adds considerable value to Spider … a luxurious piano-finish humidor, with a hand-etched Spider on its glass top. Those who know the quality and performance of 7-20-4’s offerings will recognize Spider‘s extraordinary value.” Spider is available in 5-3/4″ x 52 only, at an MSRP of $220 per box of 20 cigars.
7-20-4 Cigars
Vintage Cigar Distributors of New England, Inc.
128 Rockingham Rd.
Londonderry, NH 03053
Phone: 603-965-4493
E-mail: rick@7-20-4.com
Contact: Rick Ardito FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 25, 2014