Aristocrat Technologies has lodged proceedings in the Federal Court against Ainsworth Game Technology, alleging the breach of intellectual property law. Aristocrat claimed that Ainsworth stole the designs to one of its most successful slot machines.
The dispute centres on the technology which Aristocrat developed for its popular Lightning Link machine, which it alleges was stolen by its rival and used in one of its own machines. The Lightning Link has been a runaway success for Aristocrat, being picked up by casinos around the world.
“This case goes well beyond simple copyright infringement and concerns allegations of extensive and deliberate misappropriation of trade secrets, confidential information and intellectual property. Upholding appropriate standards is part and parcel of ensuring ongoing trust in our business and industry, and is an important part of Aristocrat’s high compliance culture,” Aristocrat said.
Ainsworth said that it would be “vigorously defending the claims made by Aristocrat in these proceedings.”