The Federal Circuit recently upheld a decision that Sony’s PlayStation controllers do not infringe on a computer input device patent held by Genuine Enabling Technology (GET). This ruling marks the culmination of a significant legal battle in which GET sought nearly $500 million in damages from Sony. The appellate court’s decision supports a previous ruling…
In a decision highlighting the ongoing battle against patent trolling, a Seattle federal jury has found that inventor Leigh Rothschild, alongside his companies and a former attorney, violated Washington state’s anti-patent trolling legislation. This decision centered on bad faith patent infringement claims leveled against the prominent video game developer, Valve Corporation. This verdict adds a…
In a significant development in intellectual property law, a Seattle federal jury has ruled that inventor Leigh Rothschild and his associated companies owe Valve Corp., a prominent video game developer, approximately $152,000. This decision follows allegations that Rothschild breached Washington state’s anti-patent trolling law and violated an intellectual property licensing agreement. The ruling marks a…
The evolving landscape of gambling regulation within the European Union has been thrust into the spotlight by the Anesar–CV case, a legal skirmish examining the intricate balance between market freedoms and regulatory boundaries. This case underscores the perennial tension between national regulatory frameworks and the EU’s commitment to maintaining open and competitive markets. An overview…
In an unexpected turn during his tax fraud trial, SCOTUSblog founder Thomas Goldstein revealed to a Maryland federal jury that he incurred nearly $3 million in losses while playing poker in 2016. This statement directly challenges the charges that he underreported his gambling earnings. Goldstein attributed any discrepancies in his tax filings to personal errors…
A federal judge has decided against Coinbase Financial Markets Inc. in its effort to halt a Nevada enforcement action, emphasizing the primacy of state law. The proceedings stem from Nevada regulators targeting Coinbase for alleged violations related to the state’s gaming regulations. This judicial decision marks a significant development in how state and federal jurisdictions…
Coinbase Financial Markets Inc. is taking legal action against Nevada officials, seeking to challenge the application of the state’s gaming statutes to its offering of prediction markets. The crux of the lawsuit, led by well-known legal firms Snell & Wilmer and Sullivan & Cromwell, seeks both declaratory and injunctive relief, aiming to prevent Nevada from…
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has expanded its litigation team by appointing Tamerlin “Tammy” Godley as a partner in its Los Angeles office. Godley, previously with Paul Hastings LLP, will chair Willkie’s Entertainment Litigation Practice Group. She brings extensive experience representing studios, networks, and Fortune 500 companies in complex business disputes and sensitive internal investigations….
In a significant development within the legal battle surrounding Roblox, a California federal judge has appointed lead counsel for the parents involved in the multidistrict litigation concerning allegations that children were groomed and exploited by sexual predators on the gaming platform. This legal maneuver comes as the case continues to evolve, reflecting broader concerns about…
Valve Corporation recently experienced a partial victory in its ongoing legal battle against inventor Leigh Rothschild, as reported by Law360. A federal judge in Seattle ruled that Rothschild breached an intellectual property licensing agreement by filing groundless infringement claims against Valve in 2022. However, other significant issues await jury determination when the patent trolling case…
Epic Games, renowned for its role in reshaping the gaming industry, most notably through its epic legal confrontation with Apple, has recruited a high-profile attorney to bolster its legal team. The company has appointed veteran lawyer Thomas Goldstein, known for his extensive experience representing big tech firms in antitrust matters. This strategic move comes as…
Nintendo’s recent legal challenges surrounding its Pokémon franchise have sparked significant discussion within the gaming and legal communities. The company’s attempts to secure and enforce patents related to game mechanics have encountered notable obstacles, particularly in Japan and the United States. In October 2025, the Japan Patent Office (JPO) rejected Nintendo’s application for a patent…
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals is currently grappling with the complex appeal process involving a case linked to threats made against Roblox, a major player in the online gaming industry. The legal intricacies of the case highlight ongoing challenges in interpreting and applying laws related to digital threats and First Amendment rights. At the…
The Federal Circuit recently upheld a decision by a California federal judge that Nintendo’s popular gaming console, the Nintendo Switch, did not violate patents owned by Gamevice Inc. The ruling marks the continuation of a long-standing patent dispute between the two companies, originally initiated by Gamevice with claims that the Switch’s design infringed on their…
In California’s Northern District, a new multidistrict litigation (MDL) concerning child exploitation allegations against Roblox Corporation is taking shape. Five esteemed attorneys—W. Mark Lanier, Bryan Aylstock, Sarah London, Alexandra Walsh, and Bob Hilliard—are currently contending for leadership roles in the proceedings. With 85 lawsuits consolidated by Chief Judge Richard Seeborg, the stakes of the litigation…
In a significant settlement within the gambling industry, Light & Wonder Inc. has agreed to pay $127.5 million to Aristocrat Technologies Inc. The settlement resolves allegations of trade secret misappropriation claims centered on the development of specific slot machine games, namely Dragon Train and Jewel of the Dragon, as reported by legal analysts. The lawsuit…
On January 6, 2026, the Federal Circuit upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit alleging that gaming hardware company Razer violated a patent related to transmission signal decoding. This decision aligns with an earlier ruling by a California federal court, which found that the patent claims did not meet the criteria set forth by the U.S….
A mobile game developer has filed a lawsuit against a rival from France, aiming to overturn a decision by the Trademark Trial and Appeals Board (TTAB) to cancel its trademark for “Edge Games”. The company argues that it has consistently used the term in commerce, which legally entitles it to maintain the trademark. The lawsuit…
Fox Rothschild is strengthening its presence in the gaming industry with the addition of Kieron Frazier as a partner in its Chicago office. Frazier, who joins from McDonald Hopkins, brings with him significant experience in the gaming sector, a move aimed at enhancing the firm’s capabilities in this expanding field. His expertise spans across advising…
The entertainment giant Disney has made a strategic move by investing $1 billion in OpenAI, along with entering a licensing agreement that will allow OpenAI to utilize Disney’s extensive portfolio of characters. This partnership signifies a notable collaboration between two industry leaders, aligning the realms of entertainment and artificial intelligence. According to Bloomberg Law, the…
Disney’s decision to enter a $1 billion partnership with OpenAI marks a significant step in the entertainment industry, as it becomes the first major Hollywood studio to collaborate formally with a leading generative AI platform. Over the next three years, Disney characters will come to life on OpenAI’s Sora video platform, enriching the content available…
In an unexpected move, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has decided to review a series of patents held by Nintendo. This decision underscores a potential shift in priorities within the US patent system, which could have significant implications for corporations and the practice of law. The review process, often considered routine for…
Skybound Game Studios finds itself embroiled in litigation following allegations that it illicitly used trade secrets from video game designer iam8bit. The claims center around the launch of “Stray” for the Nintendo Switch, which allegedly involved negotiations by Skybound with a publisher, bypassing iam8bit and excluding it from the profits. The lawsuit, demanding $4 million…
As 2023 winds down, several litigation trends are emerging that could shape the legal landscape in the coming year. Among the notable cases attracting attention are lawsuits centered on the escalating prices of eggs, alleged data breaches involving Oracle, and legal challenges to casino-style gaming platforms. One of the most discussed topics involves the rising…
Kirkland & Ellis has made a strategic move in the legal market by hiring a prominent partner from Latham & Watkins. The shift involves the leading figure of Latham’s Hospitality, Gaming, and Leisure Industry Group in Los Angeles. This lateral hire underscores Kirkland’s ongoing expansion strategy, focusing on high-growth areas and industries. The attorney, who…