Poker Superstars
Phil Hellmuth
|
|
Lightning Poker vs PokerTek |
 How many of you knew that the current trend in poker technology relates to integrating online-style gaming to casino-style seating? Commonly known as an 'electronic poker table,' supposedly this creation will be the next wave in poker innovations. Now, two separate companies are up in arms against one another as to who exactly owns the patent, which is now broiling up into yet another legal poker battle.
This past Tuesday, the Philadelphia-based company Lightning Poker announced that they have filed a patent-infringement suit against PokerTek Inc. Lightning is the holder of U.S. Patent # 7,306,516, which supposedly "relates generally to an electronic poker table with a center monitor screen showing multiple community cards and betting information for each player." The suit is calling for a compensation of damages caused by PokerTek and an injunction against the sale of their competing product.
PokerTek isn't buying it. According to an official statement, "PokerTek believes that its products do not violate the patent that forms the basis of the lawsuit, or that the patent is invalid, or both. PokerTek intends to vigorously defend its intellectual property."
This isn't the first time these two companies have gone head to head, either. Back in July 2006, Lightning Poker announced another suit against PokerTek in which they claimed "unfair competition, civil conspiracy, trade slander and defamation," but ended up dropping the charges in December of the same year, a couple of months before launching a mechanical shuffler.
"Although Lightning Poker recognizes and respects the constant innovation in gaming technology, we cannot permit willful infringement of our valuable intellectual property. PokerTek has exploited the innovations covered by our patent for its own benefit in the face of our patent," said Lightning Poker CEO Brian Haveson. "Lightning Poker is a pioneer in automated poker and annually invests millions of dollars in research and development to create technologies that bring significant value to our customers and players. We are determined to remain a leader by leveraging our superior functionality and high reliability, and by vigorously defending our intellectual property."
And PokerTek's CEO Chris Halligan's final word: "After consulting with our attorneys, we believe this suit is without merit. This is not the first time Lightning Poker has sued us. Its last lawsuit was unsuccessful, and we will work to ensure a similar outcome here. We remain focused on growing our business and extending our lead in the marketplace."
March 7, 2008
|
|
