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Law
Judge hears case against tribal tobacco retailers


A federal judge heard oral arguments on Tuesday in a lawsuit brought by tobacco giant Philip Morris against two Yakama Nation members.

Delbert Wheeler Sr. and Richard Kip Ramsey Sr. sell their own brand of cigarettes called King Mountain Tobacco. Phillip Morris claims the two men use Marlboro's trademarks on the cigarette packs.

Wheeley and Ramsey said the case belongs in tribal court because they are licensed by the Yakama Nation. The judge said he would decide whether he has jurisdiction to hear the complaint.

Get the Story:
Jurisdiction must be settled first in cigarette trademark case (The Yakima Herald-Republic 11/15)

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