The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals has issued a landmark ruling in favor of Kalshi Inc., effectively exempting its sports contracts from New Jersey’s stringent gambling laws. In a 2-1 decision, the court affirmed that Kalshi’s event contracts align with the Commodity Exchange Act’s definition of “swaps,” and as such, fall under the jurisdiction of…
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recently invalidated a patent held by Nintendo and Pokémon concerning technology that enables players to summon characters in video games. This decision is based on prior art, a finding that has reverberated throughout the video game industry. The patent, initially granted to the companies, was challenged, leading to…
Seneca Resorts & Casinos has announced a significant internal promotion, appointing Lisa Mills as its new Chief Legal Officer (CLO). Mills, who previously held the position of Associate General Counsel within the company, will now lead its legal department, underscoring the organization’s commitment to fostering talent from within. Mills brings a wealth of experience to…
The Delaware Court of Chancery, known for its pivotal role in shaping corporate law, recently tackled several significant cases that caught the legal community’s attention. This past week, the court’s docket included high-stakes disputes involving major consumer brands, the reinstatement of a video game executive, the ongoing discourse around noncompete agreements, and emerging allegations of…
The Federal Circuit has decided not to revisit Gamevice Inc.’s patent infringement claims against Nintendo Co. Ltd. The decision maintains the panel’s previous ruling in favor of Nintendo, effectively ending Gamevice’s case regarding the popular Nintendo Switch console. Gamevice, known for its attachable gaming controllers, alleged that Nintendo’s console infringed on its patents, but the…
In a recent development, DraftKings has successfully persuaded a New Jersey federal judge to streamline a lawsuit concerning alleged patent infringements related to its sports betting and fantasy game mobile application. The court decided to narrow the case, allowing only the allegations that focused on direct infringement of two specific patents to advance. This decision…
In a contentious legal battle, a prominent gaming company has initiated a lawsuit against its former CEO and an attorney, accusing them of misappropriating a valuable patent related to electronic bingo gaming machines. The lawsuit, recently filed, alleges that the two leveraged their positions and insider access to facilitate the appropriation of the intellectual property….
The ongoing litigation involving Roblox Corporation has sparked significant discussions on the role of gaming companies in safeguarding child players online. As detailed in a recent article by Bloomberg Law, Roblox faces allegations concerning its handling of content moderation and the exposure of underage users to inappropriate material. The implications of this case extend beyond…
Fanatics Betting and Gaming has announced the appointment of its first Chief Legal Officer, signaling a strategic move to solidify its presence in the rapidly growing sports betting industry. Matt King, CEO of Fanatics Betting and Gaming, expressed confidence in their appointment of Stacie McCollum as the legal head, underscoring the importance of her role…
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has clarified the eligibility criteria for design patents, particularly regarding computer-generated digital designs. On Thursday, guidance was issued that expands the scope of what can be considered for patent protection. This new directive emphasizes that designs embodied in holograms, virtual reality, and similar immersive technologies are eligible for…
Electronic Arts (EA), the developer of the popular College Football video game series, halted the use of the University of Michigan’s fight song “Let’s Go Blue” following a legal dispute with one of its original songwriters. A recent lawsuit filed in New York federal court accuses a University of Michigan-affiliated songwriter of tortious interference, claiming…
Nintendo has initiated legal proceedings against the Trump administration as part of an effort to reclaim full refunds, along with interest, for tariffs deemed unlawful under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). This legal move puts Nintendo alongside thousands of companies seeking to recoup billions in tariffs that they argue were improperly levied during…
Fortnite developer Epic Games Inc. has taken legal action against a former contractor, accusing him of leaking sensitive company information on social media in pursuit of personal notoriety. The lawsuit, filed in a North Carolina federal court, claims this breach of the nondisclosure agreement (NDA) has potentially harmed Epic’s business relations, as detailed in a…
In a notable development within the legal sphere, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, a prominent law firm, has been sanctioned by a Manhattan federal judge in relation to a lawsuit involving Papaya Gaming. The case, characterized by the court as “vexatious,” centered on litigation tactics viewed as an attempt to relitigate dismissed claims…
In a notable legal development, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP has been sanctioned by a Manhattan federal judge in a case involving Papaya Gaming. The case centers around allegations that Papaya attempted to relitigate claims previously dismissed in Virginia. These claims formed part of a false advertising dispute with Skillz Platform, a rival…
In a notable development in the gaming industry legal landscape, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, one of the world’s top law firms, finds itself on the front lines of a contentious lawsuit involving their client. A court has sanctioned both Skadden and their client in a high-stakes gaming lawsuit, underscoring the complexities that…
New York has taken legal action against Valve, claiming that the gaming giant’s in-game loot boxes constitute an illegal gambling operation. The lawsuit asserts that Valve’s virtual transactions, often involving the purchase of items like digital hats and weapon skins, are part of a gambling setup worth billions. The legal challenge revolves around whether Valve’s…
In a significant legal development, New York state has initiated a lawsuit against Valve Corporation, accusing the gaming giant of facilitating illegal gambling through the implementation of randomized loot boxes in popular games such as Counter-Strike 2, Team Fortress 2, and Dota 2. The lawsuit argues that these loot boxes allow users to “pay for…
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…