RAI Completes International Sale of Natural American Spirit

WINSTON-SALEM. N.C. — Reynolds American Inc. (RAI) completed its sale of the international rights to the Natural American Spirit brand name and associated trademarks to the Japan Tobacco Group.

The all-cash transaction is valued at approximately $5 billion. The sale also includes the international companies that distribute and market the brand outside the United States.

However, the purchase does not include the rights to the Natural American Spirit brand name and associated trademarks in the U.S. market, U.S. duty-free locations, U.S. territories or in U.S. military outlets. Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of RAI, retains those rights.

With this transaction completed, the international rights to nearly all of RAI's operating companies' cigarette trademarks are now owned by international tobacco companies, allowing the RAI companies to focus on brand growth in the U.S. market.

Based in Winston-Salem, RAI is the parent company of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Co., American Snuff Co., Niconovum USA Inc., Niconovum AB and R.J. Reynolds Vapor Co.