On August 20, the Georgian Court of First Instance ruled in favor of Aviator in a copyright infringement case against Spribe, a developer known for its innovative crash games, and Adjarabet, a subsidiary of Flutter Entertainment.
Aviator Wins $330 Million Lawsuit Against Spribe and Adjarabet
The court determined that Aviator’s copyright infringement claim against Spribe OÜ and Adjarabet was justified, as the plaintiff accused them of unauthorized use of the “Aviator” brand.
Spribe, known for its online casino content, launched the popular “Aviator” game with Adjarabet. However, the court found that this move violated Aviator’s copyright and trademark rights.
This ruling is a significant setback for Spribe and Adjarabet. Spribe’s “Aviator” has been the most successful title on Adjarabet, but it will now need to be rebranded if the companies want to continue featuring it, which could lead to a loss of players and cause business confusion.
Moreover, the court awarded $330 million in damages to Aviator, making it one of the largest settlements in the gambling industry, excluding regulatory interventions.
Aviator stated that its claims were based on the company’s image and logo for the “Aviator” crash game, which has been successful for years and could potentially become one of the most popular gambling games globally, as indicated by the success of Spribe’s own “Aviator.”
Aviator also argued that Spribe had registered the “Aviator” trademarks for gambling services in 2021 and 2022, and pursued a legal case against them.
Spribe and Adjarabet have yet to respond, but an appeal is likely forthcoming
Aviator accused Spribe of registering its Aviator franchise in bad faith and highlighted the misuse of Aviator’s imagery. Although Spribe initially dismissed the claim, the company is now in a more challenging position.
“We are satisfied with the court’s decision and will continue to rigorously defend our client’s intellectual property against unauthorized use on any international gaming platforms,” stated Nikoloz Gogilidze from Mikadze law firm, representing Aviator.
Renaming the “Aviator” game in Adjarabet could severely impact Adjarabet’s business strategy. Flutter Entertainment is expected to appeal the ruling, though this has not yet been confirmed.
