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…
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…