Game developer Spribe has taken to LinkedIn to call out PopOk Gaming’s distribution of a crash game similar to its game Aviator, claiming it infringes intellectual property rights.
The post states, “Spribe is the sole owner of the intellectual property rights in the Aviator game, which are protected in many countries where we operate. Those rights include a number of trademark registrations for the game’s logo. In addition to that, Spribe’s game is also tested and certified in more than 30 jurisdictions.”
Spribe Warns Operators About Unauthorized Aviator Copies
It accuses PopOK Gaming of being an unauthorized third party that reached out to Spribe’s clients and attempted to sell them a game called Aviator with a similar concept and design. These companies claim that it is the ‘authentic Aviator’ game.
Spribe adds, “The primary purpose of this letter is to let you know that these games are not authorized by us and infringe upon Spribe’s intellectual property rights. They mislead players by falsely associating their game with our brand.”
The Polish-headquartered company has emphasized that it is taking matters very seriously and may pursue legal action. It has urged operators to “investigate whether your platform offers any unauthorized and infringing versions of Aviator” and to subsequently remove any such games without delay.
Last week, Spribe expanded its partnership with the UFC and added WWE. The authentic version of the Aviator game includes “Aviator | UFC Official Partners.”
UFC bouts will feature the Aviator logo prominently on the Octagon at every event globally. In addition, the new partnership will see the UFC run Aviator-specific social media campaigns and host ‘premium hospitality experiences.’ Spribe’s partnership with WWE will showcase Aviator branding only at certain marquee events.
Aviator is also the ‘Official Crash Game’ of Italian football behemoth AC Milan, while Spribe holds the title ‘Official Crash Game Partner.’
The company is no stranger to legal disputes. Georgian land-based casino operator Aviator was awarded $330 million in damages after a Georgian court found copyright and trademark infringement by Spribe. Spribe’s trademarks for its crash game were also thus invalidated.
The casino operator has filed an invalidation action against the trademark with the European Intellectual Property Office, seeking to “challenge Spribe trademarks worldwide.”
Flutter’s Georgian online casino Adjarabet was also ordered to cease offering the Aviator slot game.
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