aristocrat sues us rival igt

Aristocrat sues US rival IGT
December 15, 2005 - 12:39PM

Poker machine maker Aristocrat Leisure Ltd is suing US-based gaming company, International Game Technology (IGT), for breach of patent over its video slot technology.

The Sydney-based company has launched legal action against IGT through its Las Vegas-based subsidiary, Aristocrat Technologies Inc.

Aristocrat alleges IGT infringed a patent on its Reel Power video slot technology, a game based on 243 winning combinations.

Aristocrat has monopoly sales and manufacturing rights for Reel Power in the United States.

It said it was seeking "unspecified monetary damages" for the company's unauthorised use of the technology in its Multiway, or "243 Ways to Win" slot game.

Aristocrat chief executive Paul Oneile said last month that the US would continue to play a major role in the future growth of the company, the world's second biggest poker machine maker.

The company booked a monster $101.7 million net profit for the first half of 2005, more than tripling its $32.3 million result for 2004.

Profits in North America surged 172 per cent to $94.7 million during the period, while strong sales and an increase in recurring revenue boosted revenue by 64 per cent to $245.2 million.