Aristocrat Gaming has successfully convinced a judge that its competitor, Light & Wonder, infringed upon its copyright by misappropriating its intellectual property and copying its game mechanics. Light & Wonder has begun removing the game, Dragon Train, which is the subject of the lawsuit and the reasoning behind the preliminary injunction.
Let’s take a closer look at the case and how its resolution might impact top-rated sportsbooks.
Dueling Dragons
Aristocrat’s fire-breathing Dragon Link slot game dates to approximately 2017, while Light & Wonder’s Dragon Train launched in March. The striking similarities between the two games, coupled with many former Aristocrat executives now in senior roles with Light & Wonder, left the requisite breadcrumbs for legal action.
Aristocrat’s lawsuit claims Light & Wonder has “misappropriated trade secrets” relating to the Dragon Link series, forcing L&W to comply by removing its Dragon Train app from its catalog of gaming offerings after the court stated Aristocrat’s lawsuit is “extremely likely to succeed”.
Game On
The preliminary injunction granted to Aristocrat was predicated on the theory that L&W created Dragon Train “without investing the equivalent time and money” and “protecting trade secrets and preventing competitors from receiving an unfair advantage.”
Aristocrat chief product officer Matthew Primmer hailed the ruling and stated, “This ruling underscores the value of our intellectual property. It reaffirms our commitment to protecting the integrity of our business. We will continue to innovate and invest in cutting-edge solutions, knowing that the law protects our creative efforts.”
Legal Battle Continues
The chapter on this legal battle is not yet closed, as Aristocrat has vowed to seek all “appropriate remedies to address the harm” caused by Light & Wonder’s copycat slot game. What those remedies are and what amount Aristocrat is seeking in damages is not yet known at this time.
However, it should also be noted that Light & Wonder is not backing down, and despite pulling the game based on the preliminary injunction, the company expects to ultimately prevail in the court of law.
L&W released the following statement: “We respectfully disagree with the judge’s decision and will promptly file an appeal. We will continue to vigorously defend against Aristocrat’s claims, including presenting our defenses to a jury at a trial.”
Light & Wonder’s CEO, Matt Wilson, sought to assuage investors’ concerns by noting Dragon Train represents less than 5% of the company’s 2025 $1.4 billion Targeted Consolidated AEBITDA.
“We’re working actively on this right now and working quickly to get this out as high priority. We expect Dragon Train to continue to be a franchise in our portfolio for many years to come,” Wilson noted.
