B.C. court bars social media influencer Dan Bilzerian from promoting vapes globally

British Columbia’s Supreme Court has issued a groundbreaking injunction against social media influencer Dan Bilzerian, prohibiting him from selling or promoting nicotine vape products worldwide. This ruling comes amidst an ongoing legal battle with Ignite International Brands, the company from which Bilzerian was ousted last year.

Justice Alison Latimer determined that Bilzerian’s new vape company, SAVH LLC, poses a direct competition to Ignite International Brands, warranting a global injunction to safeguard the effectiveness of the court’s decision. Known as the “King of Instagram,” Bilzerian has garnered a massive following on social media by showcasing his extravagant lifestyle of luxury and adventure.

Having served as Ignite’s director, chairman, and CEO from 2019 to 2024, Bilzerian’s departure was met with legal challenges as he alleged unlawful removal through improper shareholder voting. Concurrently, Ignite accuses Bilzerian of causing substantial harm to the company by allegedly making derogatory remarks on social media platforms, tarnishing the brand’s reputation.

Pending the resolution of their legal dispute, Bilzerian is prohibited from engaging in any business activities that directly compete with Ignite, including the promotion or sale of vape products under any other brand. The court’s decision underscores the need to prevent irreparable harm to Ignite and maintain the integrity of the ongoing legal proceedings.

Bilzerian’s attempt to circumvent the court’s jurisdiction by disputing the territorial competence of the British Columbia court was dismissed, emphasizing the global reach of his online marketing and promotional activities. The court highlighted the significant financial investments made by Ignite to promote its products through both corporate and personal social media accounts managed by Bilzerian.

Recognizing the intertwined nature of Bilzerian’s personal brand with Ignite’s business interests, the court emphasized the breach of fiduciary duties resulting from his involvement in a competing venture. This breach, deemed to occur in British Columbia regardless of the physical location of the activities, necessitated the global scope of the injunction to prevent further harm to Ignite.

In a related development, Bilzerian was previously found in contempt of court for failing to comply with an order to surrender access to Ignite’s social media accounts. This ruling further underscores the court’s commitment to upholding legal obligations and ensuring accountability in the ongoing legal dispute between Bilzerian and Ignite International Brands.