Lawsuit ignites over roll-your-own device. (patent rights of roll-your-own "tube" cigarettes)

TORONTO-Two of Canada's major cigarette manufacturers, Rothmans Benson & Hedges Inc. and Imperial Tobacco Ltd., are involved in a multi-milhon dollar lawsuit over the patent rights of roll-your-own "tube" cigarettes, reported The Globe and Mail.

Toronto-based Rothmans Benson & Hedges Inc. introduced the tube roll-your-own cigarettes a couple years ago with considerable success. Imperial Tobacco Ltd., Rothmans rival, launched its own version last year, prompting Rothmans to take Imperial to court. Rothmans is asking the court for an injunction prohibiting Imperial from selling the cigarette making kits.

The kits in question are taxed by Ottawa at a lower tax …