Casino Gaming Machine Manufacturer IGT Takes Bally Technologies to Court

International Game Technology (IGT), a prominent manufacturer of computerized slot machines for casinos, recently filed a lawsuit against Bally Technologies, Inc. and its affiliates, Bally Gaming International, Inc. and Bally Gaming, Inc., in the U.S. District Court in Delaware. According to the lawsuit, Bally's "Bally Power Bonusing"(TM) technology, a series of products used at casino facilities on the East Coast and in Nevada, infringes several U.S. patents that belong to IGT.

Moreover, IGT's lawsuit argues that Bally's officials were well aware of the fact that their products infringe IGT's patents. In its lawsuit, IGT demands permanent injunctive relief, a court announcement of infringement, and monetary damages to cover substantial losses stemming from the aforementioned infringement.

TJ Matthews, IGT's Chairman of the Board and CEO, was quoted as saying, "Although IGT respects and supports true innovation in the [casino] gaming technology field, it cannot condone willful infringement by others of IGT's valuable intellectual property. The patents at issue in this lawsuit cover innovations that Bally has chosen to exploit for its own benefit without seeking a license or any other authorization from IGT."