The Poland-headquartered Spribe has called on operators and partners to investigate if their sites are using an unauthorised version of its Aviator crash game and to remove them if discovered.
Spribe has noted any Aviator games found to be in direct violation of its rights could be subject to legal action.
“It has come to our attention that unauthorised third parties are trying to reach some of our clients and sell them an ‘Aviator’ game with a very similar concept and design, claiming that it is the authentic Aviator game. This includes a game which is being distributed by PopOk Gaming,” Spribe stated in a social media post on 1 January.
The Spribe Aviator game initially launched in 2018 and has been a successful product for the operator.
PopOk Gaming posts as offical provider of Aviator
PopOk Gaming announced that it was the “official provider of Aviator” in a press release issued on 20 January.
“The Aviator game will now be fully integrated into PopOK Gaming’s ecosystem, ensuring seamless availability across its extensive network of global partners,” the release stated.
Tsovinar Elchyan, head of partner management at PopOK Gaming, commented: “We are delighted to join forces with Aviator, a game that is a sensation worldwide. By integrating it into PopOK Gaming’s platform, we are confident in delivering more value to our partners and an unmatched experience to players.”
At the time of writing, PopOk Gaming is prominently displaying the Aviator’s game logo and graphics on its main website and social media pages.
In its statement, Spribe warned: “Please be informed that we are taking these matters very seriously and will not tolerate any infringement of our intellectual property rights. In addition to our rights against PopOK, any operator or partner hosting or distributing these games will be in direct violation of our rights and may be subject to legal action.”
iGB has contacted PopOk Gaming for comment.
Crash game legal disputes
Last month, Flutter Entertainment settled a legal dispute with the Georgian company Aviator LLC that claimed the operator had infringed on its trademark.
Aviator LLC took a case against both Flutter and Spribe alleging Spribe’s Aviator game copied its trademarked image. Aviator’s case against Spribe is ongoing.
The former owner of the Georgian local gambling brand Adjarabet controls Aviator LLC. Adjarabet was acquired by Flutter in 2019.
Last year, Spribe addressed its Aviator ownership and said in a LinkedIn post: “Spribe is the creator and proud owner of the Aviator game globally, with the IP (copyright, trademark) protected worldwide and owned exclusively by us. Aviator is certified in over 40 jurisdictions and is played by more than 35 million players every month across more than 4,500 brands.”
Original article: https://igamingbusiness.com/legal-compliance/aviator-owner-spribe-claims-popok-gaming-infringed-trademark/
