Light & Wonder Accused by Aristocrat of Ripping off Slot Design in New Lawsuit
A slot machine manufacturer based in Australia has taken legal action against Las Vegas-based Light & Wonder company, alleging that it has created a blatant imitation of one of its most successful games.
Aristocrat Technologies Inc. has filed a lawsuit in the US District Court in Nevada, seeking an injunction to halt Light & Wonder from producing and distributing what it claims to be a replica game. Additionally, Aristocrat is demanding financial compensation for damages to be determined during the trial.
The lawsuit targets Light & Wonder Inc. and its subsidiaries, LNW Gaming Inc. and Sciplay Corp., alleging trade secret misappropriation, copyright infringement, trade dress infringement and deceptive trade practices.
In its lawsuit, Aristocrat alleges that Light & Wonder has developed games closely resembling its renowned Dragon Link and Lightning Link slot machine games. The company points out that former Aristocrat game developers Emma Charles and Lloyd Sefton, who joined Light & Wonder in 2021, were involved in creating the new company’s Jewel of the Dragon and Dragon Train products.
Dragon Train made its debut in Australia in 2023, followed by its recent launch in the United States earlier this month. The game has found its way into tribal casinos across California, Kansas and Minnesota.
In a comprehensive 50-page lawsuit filed in late February, Aristocrat alleges that Light & Wonder is capitalizing on the extensive time, effort and creativity the company has invested over the years in developing innovative and highly acclaimed games.
According to Aristocrat, Dragon Link is one of its top-performing games, boasting vibrant colors, captivating animations, and immersive audiovisuals infused with Asian themes—a blend that Light & Wonder has allegedly attempted to replicate.
Notably, the machine features a unique “hold and spin” feature that allows players to amass symbols, paving the way for lucrative bonus payouts.
Light & Wonder vehemently contests the lawsuit, asserting that it lacks merit and vowing to defend its position vigorously. It also claimed that the accusation is nothing more than a part of Aristocrat’s global strategy to undermine its new products.
It alleges that Aristocrat’s legal claims are unfounded and aimed at damaging their reputation and deterring customers. In addition, it defends its Dragon Train product as the result of independent development.
Aristocrat demands Light & Wonder disclose trade secrets, surrender infringing materials and pay damages. The case is before Judge Gloria Navarro.
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