Take-Two Interactive Software Inc., the gaming giant known for titles like “Grand Theft Auto” and “Red Dead Redemption,” reported that its Chief Legal Officer, Alan Lewis, received nearly $8 million in total compensation last year. This figure reflects not only his base salary but also stock awards and other incentives, demonstrating the increasing value placed…
In a significant legal development within the mobile gaming industry, Skillz Inc. has secured a substantial $719 million judgment against Papaya Gaming. This ruling was handed down by a court following a determination that Papaya had generated unjust profits, infringing upon Skillz’s proprietary framework for competitive gaming. The verdict underscores the intense competitive dynamics prevalent…
In a significant development in the gaming industry, an Armenian game developer has implored a Washington federal court to prevent Big Fish Games from having its games removed from the Apple Store. The legal tussle arises from accusations directed at the developer for allegedly withholding source code crucial to Big Fish Games’ operations. The dispute…
This past week in London has seen several noteworthy legal developments that could have significant implications for businesses and legal professionals. Among these is the filing by financial advisory firm Smith Square Partners against the troubled social housing company, Home REIT. The lawsuit highlights ongoing issues within the social housing sector and raises questions about…
In a significant development for the technology and gaming industries, the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review Apple’s bid to overturn a contempt order issued by a California federal court. This order found Apple in violation of an injunction favoring Epic Games, which prohibits Apple from preventing app developers from directing users to external…
Epic Games Inc. and a former contractor have reached a settlement regarding allegations that confidential information about the popular video game “Fortnite” was leaked through social media platforms. This resolution follows Epic’s court motion requesting an order to formalize the agreement, which prevents the ex-contractor from possessing or using proprietary information and trade secrets. More…
The U.S. Supreme Court recently found a significant ally in the Biden administration concerning the ongoing legal battle over prediction markets. The Solicitor General has filed a brief supporting the reinstatement of a prediction market platform, KalshiEX, which is facing regulatory hurdles from state authorities. This development marks an important step in the recognition of…
The US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has reinstated Ohio’s Social Media Parental Notification Act (SMPNA), marking a significant development in the ongoing legal battles over children’s access to digital platforms. In a 2-1 decision, the court upheld Ohio’s restrictions on social media use by minors under 16, a law initially suspended due…
The maker of Fusion skill game platforms has launched a legal battle, seeking $13.5 million in damages over allegations that a Philadelphia route operator and his company have been selling counterfeit versions of its game systems. The lawsuit, filed in federal court, claims these knockoffs replicate copyrighted artwork and registered trademarks of the original game…
In a significant move within the legal circles of the gaming industry, Red Rock Resorts has appointed the head of Campbell & Williams, Ross W. Goodman, as their new General Counsel. This strategic hire is poised to bring seasoned legal acumen to the company’s executive team. The decision reflects Red Rock Resorts’ ongoing efforts to…
Ballard Spahr LLP has expanded its antitrust and competition practice in Washington, D.C., with the addition of Andrew J. Lee as a partner. Lee, who previously served as a trial attorney at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), brings over two decades of experience in antitrust litigation and compliance. Lee’s practice focuses on counseling clients on…
In a recent legal battle involving intellectual property, Upper Deck has avoided a $3.8 million legal fee claim by toymaker Ravensburger and a game designer. The case, held in Washington federal court, centered around Upper Deck’s allegations of copyright infringement concerning a Disney-branded trading card game. Although the court predominantly sided with Ravensburger and the…
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has brought forward a proposal aimed at sustaining sports prediction markets while addressing the concerns associated with insider trading. Central to this regulatory move is the Commodity Exchange Act’s Special Rule, which questions whether certain event contracts serve the public interest, especially if they cover sensitive topics like assassination,…
A New Jersey federal judge has made a significant ruling in a patent infringement lawsuit involving FanDuel, one of the prominent players in the online gambling industry. The judge’s decision allows the case to proceed concerning two direct infringement claims, though it dismisses the allegations of willful and indirect infringement tied to the same patents…
In a significant legal development within the mobile gaming industry, Papaya Gaming Ltd. has urged a Manhattan federal judge to reject a substantial damages enhancement sought by competitor Skillz Platform Inc. Skillz has requested that a $420 million jury verdict, related to false advertising claims, be increased to $1.4 billion. Papaya argued that this enhancement…
A recent legal decision has provided clarity in the ongoing chess match between technology and intellectual property in the gaming industry. A federal judge in North Carolina dismissed a patent lawsuit targeting Epic Games Inc., the creator of the immensely popular game Fortnite, concerning its player-to-player messaging technology. This ruling underscores the complexity and evolving…
In a notable decision that could further shape the dynamics between content creators and streamers, a California federal judge on Friday indicated a willingness to dismiss a copyright lawsuit filed by a YouTube creator against a Twitch streamer. The case centers on claims that a Twitch user’s “lazy reaction” video, which involved real-time commentary and…
The ongoing court reporter shortage in California has escalated to a critical issue, with significant implications for low-income litigants. At a recent hearing, two legal nonprofits pressed the California Supreme Court to authorize electronic recordings in the absence of a live court reporter, arguing this is essential to safeguard fair trial rights. The crisis in…
In a strategic move reflecting the dynamic nature of the gaming and sports betting industry, major law firms are enhancing their legal teams to address the burgeoning market needs in Massachusetts. This initiative is evident as several prominent firms have made significant hires to bolster their expertise in this rapidly growing sector. Foley Hoag LLP…
Mohegan has officially appointed Nedia Ralston as its Chief Legal Officer, removing the interim tag that defined her role since she joined the company earlier this year. This decision marks a shift towards stability and strategic leadership within Mohegan’s legal department. Ralston, who brought her expertise to Mohegan just months prior, now assumes full responsibility…
In a strategic move, Holland & Knight LLP has enhanced its national gaming practice by onboarding two prominent attorneys from Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP. The attorneys, who played pivotal roles at their previous firm, will now spearhead Holland & Knight’s initiatives from their Boston and Atlanta offices. Among the new recruits is the…
Holland & Knight has strategically expanded its capabilities in the gaming sector by recruiting seasoned professionals to helm its practice. This move sees John Hickey and Doug Heiden debut as central figures, now responsible for steering the firm’s gaming practice. As industry veterans, they bring a wealth of experience in navigating the complexities of gaming…
In a legal battle capturing attention within the gaming industry, the parent company of Big Fish Games, a prominent name in video game production, has initiated a lawsuit against Armenian developer Skywalker Ventures. Filed in a Washington state court, the lawsuit asserts that crucial source code was missing when the Armenian firm handed over materials,…
Amazon’s live-streaming platform, Twitch, is facing renewed patent infringement allegations from CP Studios LLC, a Utah-based gaming company. CP Studios has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, asserting that Twitch’s services—including Twitch.tv, the Twitch mobile app, Twitch Studio, Twitch Bits, Twitch Turbo, and associated servers and subscriptions—violate four…
In a significant legal maneuver, a mobile gaming company has requested that a New York federal judge increase its damages award to $1.4 billion. This comes after securing a $420 million jury verdict in April against a competitor accused of misrepresenting the skill required in its games and the improper use of automated bots. The…