Waterpipe, vape firm GS Holistic continues anti-fake legal blitz

GS Holistic has launched dozens of lawsuits since the start of the year against individuals, retailers, distribution companies and others in a crackdown on alleged counterfeiting of its products.

Recent lawsuits include a complaint against a California company called One Stop Vape and its owner Bizi Zheng alleging counterfeiting of GS' Stündenglass range of premium gravity infuser waterpipes and accessories – picture a high-tech hookah used to smoke tobacco products – and another against Michigan firm Smokers Dept and owner Hussein Almawla which claims it is selling illegal copies of its G Pen portable vaporiser devices.

GS has been selling its G Pen products in the US since 2012 and launched the Stündenglass range in 2020. The devices – which cost hundreds of dollars per unit and are distributed through thousands of authorised retailers across the US – have become well-known thanks in part to collaborations with companies and celebrities including the Grateful Dead band.

According to the One Stop Vape lawsuit, a Stündenglass brand gravity infuser waterpipe is priced at retail at $599.95, while counterfeit versions bearing fake Stündenglass marks are being sold between $199 and $600.

"It is exactly because of their higher sales value that Stündenglass branded products are targeted by counterfeiters," the complaint reads. "The counterfeiters tarnish the Stündenglass brand by unlawfully selling gravity infuser waterpipes that have identical, or nearly identical, versions of the Stündenglass marks affixed to products that are made with inferior or different materials, thereby leading to significant illegitimate profits by owners."

Similarly, a G Pen brand vaporiser ranges in price from $70 to $250, with counterfeits being sold at around half that price. Once again, the fakes infringe on trademarks held by GS Holistic, according to the Smokers Depot complaint.

The suits are variously claiming federal trademark counterfeiting and infringement, federal false designation of origin, and patent infringement, and are seeking treble damages, costs, and an injunction on any activities associated with counterfeiting of GS Holistic products. Jury trials are being sought.