The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has agreed to a request by Philip Morris USA to investigate cigarette imports from overseas companies for violation of the company's trademarks.

ITC, which can ban any import if they can determine that it violates US trademark law, said it would look into imports from companies based in Moldova, Belize, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Ukraine and other countries, the Associated Press reports.
The companies sell cigarettes online through online sites such as "all-cigarettes-brands.com," "save-on-cigarettes.com," and "dirtcheapbutts.com," the ITC said.
Philip Morris, a subsidiary of Altria Corporation, alleged in February that the cigarette imports and their packaging infringed on its trademarks. Philip Morris's brands account for half of US cigarette sales.
The case will be referred to an administrative law judge who will investigate Philip Morris's complaint. The agency said it will set a target date for completing the investigation within 45 days. (pi)