Federal Judge Dismisses Evolution’s Patent Lawsuit Against Light & Wonder
Light & Wonder secured a major legal victory after a federal judge dismissed Evolution’s patent lawsuit over the game RouletteX. The ruling marks a significant setback for Evolution, which claimed Light & Wonder had copied key elements of its Lightning Roulette game.
Court Rules Evolution’s Patents Invalid
Judge Cristina D. Silva ruled that Evolution’s patents were invalid, stating they covered abstract concepts rather than patentable innovations. The patents in question related to Lightning Roulette, a game that combines traditional roulette with random multipliers.
Evolution had argued that RouletteX was a direct copy, pointing to similar random number selections, payout multipliers, and even lightning animations. The company also revealed that it had shared confidential information with Light & Wonder during negotiations for a potential partnership.
However, Judge Silva determined that the patents only described a probability-based financial exchange method, which does not qualify as a patentable invention. She also noted that Evolution failed to demonstrate how its technology improved traditional roulette in a meaningful way.
Evolution Given 14 Days to Amend Complaint
While the lawsuit has been dismissed, Evolution has been granted 14 days to amend its complaint following a settlement conference.
However, the judge expressed doubt that Evolution could successfully revise its claim in a way that overcomes the issue of patent invalidity.
The ruling is a clear legal victory for Light & Wonder, as it removes a major patent infringement claim from its legal battles.
Following the ruling, Light & Wonder’s stock saw a slight increase, reflecting investor confidence in the company’s legal standing.
However, the company is not entirely free from legal trouble. Light & Wonder still faces another lawsuit related to its game Dragon Link, involving copyright infringement claims.
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