Aristocrat Doubles Down in Legal Battle With Light & Wonder

Article by : Dasha Jul 22, 2024

• 
• 

A high-stakes legal battle between two industry titans is unfolding as Aristocrat Technologies has renewed its allegations against Light & Wonder (L&W) for allegedly infringing on the intellectual property of its renowned Dragon Link slot game. Following a partial dismissal of its initial complaint last month, Aristocrat has filed an amended complaint in the US District Court for the District of Nevada, seeking to prevent L&W from profiting from the alleged copying of Dragon Link.

At the heart of the dispute lies Aristocrat’s claim that the complex mathematical framework underpinning Dragon Link is virtually impossible to replicate and that L&W has engaged in a concerted effort to circumvent this by hiring former Aristocrat employees with intimate knowledge of the game’s development. The company contends that L&W’s subsequent creation of Dragon Unleashed Link, Jewel of the Dragon, and Dragon Train constitutes a blatant attempt to capitalize on Dragon Link’s success by copying its distinctive audiovisual elements and gameplay.

Aristocrat highlights the exceptional performance of Dragon Link and its sequel, Lightning Link, attributing their success to unique mathematical models and game mechanics. The company asserts that these core elements have been unlawfully replicated by L&W, despite implementing robust security measures to protect its trade secrets.

The amended complaint details a series of actions allegedly undertaken by L&W to copy Dragon Link. Aristocrat points to the rebranding of Dragon Unleashed to Dragon Unleashed Link as a deliberate attempt to create confusion with the original game. Additionally, the company claims that Jewel of the Dragon is a direct copy of Dragon Link’s audiovisual elements, albeit with a less successful mathematical model.

Central to Aristocrat’s case is the involvement of former Aristocrat employees who now hold key positions at L&W. Individuals such as Emma Charles, Jamie Odell, Matt Wilson, Toni Korsanos, Siobhan Lane, Ted Hase, Rich Schneider, and Lloyd Sefton are accused of leveraging their knowledge of Dragon Link to facilitate the creation of L&W’s competing titles.

Aristocrat has provided visual evidence supporting its claims of copyright infringement, highlighting similarities in game design, sound effects, and bonus features. The company argues that these similarities are not coincidental but rather the result of intentional copying.

The amended complaint also references L&W’s 2021 annual financial report, which outlined a strategic shift toward the gaming sector and identified Aristocrat as a key competitor. This, coupled with the recruitment of former Aristocrat executives, suggests a deliberate attempt to compete directly with Dragon Link.

The outcome of this legal battle will have significant implications for the gaming industry. If Aristocrat prevails, it could set a precedent for intellectual property protection in the highly competitive slot machine market. Both companies are fiercely defending their respective positions, and the case is expected to be closely watched by industry observers.

Light & Wonder has yet to publicly respond to the amended complaint.