In a significant ruling for the fantasy sports industry, a Georgia federal judge has dismissed a key patent infringement claim filed by Vetnos against rival platform PrizePicks. This decision comes after careful consideration of the claim, which was challenged on the grounds that it dealt with abstract ideas, ultimately rendering it ineligible for federal protection….
Sony Interactive Entertainment has initiated legal proceedings against Tencent Holdings Ltd., alleging that the Chinese conglomerate’s forthcoming game, “Light of Motiram,” is a direct imitation of Sony’s acclaimed “Horizon” series. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, describes “Light of Motiram” as a “slavish clone” that replicates numerous…
A coalition of Texas-based companies and the state’s gaming association have initiated legal action against President Donald Trump’s administration, challenging the recent imposition of broad tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The lawsuit, filed in the United States Court of International Trade, contends that the administration’s unilateral tariff measures exceed the authority…
“`html As the legal landscape continues to evolve, several key areas are emerging as focal points for litigation, drawing attention from corporate legal teams worldwide. Among these, issues surrounding video game safety, cannabidiol (CBD) products, and water pollution are at the forefront. One of the burgeoning areas of concern involves the popular gaming platform, Roblox….
James Sottile, the Chief Legal Officer of Light & Wonder, is set to retire after seven years navigating the company through a challenging legal landscape. Sottile’s tenure has been marked by a number of legal disputes from rivals, notably involving intellectual property issues. One such case featured regulatory filings that detailed litigation with Aristocrat over…
“`html Amid ongoing changes within the firm, A&O Shearman has experienced another significant departure. The firm recently saw a four-lawyer intellectual property team from its Paris office, including partner Alexandre Rudoni, exit to join Hogan Lovells. This move is part of a broader trend, as A&O Shearman has lost over 60 partners since announcing a…
A&O Shearman continues to experience significant departures from its ranks, as another team has left the firm. This time, a partner-led, four-lawyer intellectual property team from its Paris office joined Hogan Lovells. This follows an earlier exit of London-based financial institutions global co-head Barney Reynolds to Sullivan & Cromwell and is part of a trend…
In a recent legal victory, Jump Trading LLC, with the support of Latham & Watkins, managed to evade an eight-figure crypto fraud lawsuit on jurisdictional grounds in a Chicago federal court. The lawsuit brought by FractureLabs OÜ accused Jump Trading of facilitating an initial exchange offering (IEO) for its cryptocurrency-gaming project, only to subsequently engage…
Ahead of a significant deadline, a cryptocurrency derivatives exchange linked with Crypto.com has taken legal action against the Nevada Gaming Commission. The litigation, filed in federal district court, accuses the state regulators of infringing on the exclusive regulatory domain designated to the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). As detailed by Ivan Parron, an entertainment…
In a significant development for antitrust law, a federal appeals court has endorsed vertical mergers, offering a detailed framework for companies aiming to withstand antitrust scrutiny. The decision, stemming from the case of FTC v. Microsoft Corp., addresses Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard Inc., a deal that had faced legal challenges from the Federal Trade…
Clifford Chance and A&O Shearman are offering legal advice on the development of the United Arab Emirates’ first licensed casino by Wynn Resorts. The $5.1 billion project is set to open in 2027 on Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah. This venture is noteworthy given that gambling is traditionally banned in Muslim-majority countries. The UAE’s interest…
Latham & Watkins’ London office has been actively engaged in two significant transactions within the gaming industry this week, underscoring the sector’s growing potential for generating substantial business for legal firms. Notably, the firm represented private equity giant CVC Capital Partners as they secured a $2 billion minority stake in Dream Games, a mobile gaming…
Apple and Google do not currently face liability in a products lawsuit that involves a child’s gaming addiction, a federal ruling in Illinois has determined. According to U.S. District Judge April M. Perry of the Northern District of Illinois, the tech giants’ platforms, such as the Google Play and Apple app stores, are not shown…
Greenberg Traurig, a prominent law firm, has announced the addition of Ali Bartlett and Rajat Shah as shareholders within its gaming practice. This strategic move was disclosed by the firm earlier this week. Bartlett, who transitions from Bose McKinney & Evans, will be focusing on regulatory compliance, corporate affairs, and licensing within the casino gaming…
Jones Walker has announced the addition of Laura D’Angelo as a partner in its gaming industry team, a move that underscores the firm’s ongoing strategy to strengthen its presence in key markets and legal sectors. D’Angelo joins the firm’s office in Lexington, Kentucky, where she will leverage her extensive experience in equine, racing, and gaming…
In a recent strategic move, Holland & Hart has welcomed Lucas Foletta as a partner in their environmental and energy practices based in Reno, Nevada. This appointment was announced on Thursday, April 4, 2025, highlighting the firm’s commitment to bolstering its capabilities in the power solutions sector. Foletta brings with him a wealth of experience…
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and Fenwick & West are playing advisory roles in the acquisition of Niantic’s games business by a division of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) for a staggering $3.5 billion. This transaction includes popular gaming titles such as Pokémon Go, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now. The Saudi PIF,…
In a significant transaction within the gaming and legal sectors, lawyers from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Fenwick & West LLP are directing a $3.5 billion acquisition deal. This deal involves Saudi-backed Scopely Inc. purchasing the gaming business of Niantic Inc., the renowned creator of Pokemon Go. This acquisition is poised to…
As entertainment and gaming industries increasingly rely on digital replicas, the demand for precise contract language becomes ever more critical. This trend is fueled by a complex landscape of state laws, such as those in California, New York, and Tennessee, alongside proposed federal measures. These regulations impose a stringent legal burden on the use of…
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett has taken a significant step to bolster its legal prowess by appointing Amy Candido as the head of its Intellectual Property (IP) litigation section. Joining the firm’s Palo Alto office, Candido will serve as a partner, bringing with her a wealth of experience in handling complex IP-related litigation matters. As announced…
In a high-stakes legal maneuver, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. (HPE) has enlisted the expertise of renowned litigator Beth Wilkinson to spearhead its defense against the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) efforts to block its $14 billion acquisition of Juniper Networks Inc. The DOJ has raised concerns that the merger could hinder competition within the network…
Munger, Tolles & Olson has announced the addition of Andrew Garelick as a partner within its corporate practice in Los Angeles. This strategic move highlights the firm’s intent to bolster its capabilities in handling intricate corporate governance and mergers and acquisitions. Garelick is well-versed in advising board members and special committees of public corporations. His…
Duetti, a music-financing platform with over $235 million in raised capital, has recruited Sachin Premnath as its inaugural general counsel. Premnath transitions to Duetti from Netflix, where he played a pivotal role in managing the company’s extensive collection of master and publishing assets created by composers, artists, and songwriters. His tenure at Netflix also saw…
Hogan Lovells has announced the addition of David Perlson as a partner within its global regulatory and intellectual property practice group, based in San Francisco. With a distinguished career in intellectual property and commercial litigation, Perlson brings extensive experience in patent, trade secret, and antitrust cases. His expertise extends across various sectors, including technology—where he…
The online fantasy sports industry, represented prominently by DraftKings and FanDuel, is under scrutiny as U.S. Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Peter Welch (D-VT) have called upon the top antitrust authorities—the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)—to investigate these companies. The senators’ concerns, articulated in a letter posted on X (Twitter),…