Reynolds American, Inc. v. Gero

WELLS, Judge.

Reynolds American, Inc. (“RAI”) and Reynolds Global Products, Inc. (“RGP”) appeal from orders denying their respective motions to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction. See Fla. R. App. P. 9.130(a)(3)(C)(i). Because we agree that there are insufficient jurisdictional facts to bring this action within the purview of Florida’s long-arm statute, we reverse. See § 48.193, Fla. Stat. (2010); Venetian Salami Co. v. Parthenais, 554 So.2d 499 (Fla.1989).

According to Gabriel Gero, he invented a new and novel packaging idea, called the Swingpak, in the early 1960’s. In 1971, he…