Playtech has launched legal proceedings against Games Global for IP infringement following reports of corporate espionage at its OnAir Entertainment live casino supplier.
The B2B gaming giant filed a Part 7 Copyright and design right claim in the UK’s High Court in May against Games Global and several other defendants.
It follows NEXT.io reports earlier in the year regarding allegations OnAir had been spying on its competitor in the live casino space.
Former OnAir senior product owner Ivans Ivanovs claimed on LinkedIn that his former colleague Igors Veliks had retained access to Playtech’s internal environment after leaving its Euro Live Technologies subsidiary.
These allegations, which NEXT.io confirmed with multiple sources and screenshots, resulted in Playtech saying it would investigate OnAir for possible IP infringement.
A Playtech spokesperson told NEXT.io at the time: “We are aware of the issue involving OnAir Entertainment and are investigating potential IP infringement and other possible claims.
“We are working to fully investigate this matter and will provide an update in due course.”
Following the publication of the allegations, OnAir told NEXT.io it had engaged an independent investigator to scrutinise the matter.
The live casino provider did not share the name of the investigator.
OnAir told NEXT.io the investigation concluded weeks later with the finding that, while an employee did retain access to Playtech’s internal environment, it was not used for spying.
A company spokesperson said at the time: “Given this nature of the demo environment, no proprietary information beyond externally facing games which are already committed to and completed for release is available.
“The investigation concluded that the individual utilised the system solely for competitor analysis, a standard industry practice within the iGaming sector.
“In light of these findings, OnAir Entertainment is confident that the access was not used for spying, copying, or any infringing activity in any manner.”
No filings are so far available on the case’s public docket.
Playtech Software Limited and Euro Live Technologies SIA are the two claimants are listed in the case, both represented by magic circle law firm Linklaters.
Defendants include Games Global Limited, Games Global Operations Limited, MT Realtime Live Ltd, Realtime SIA and Igor Veliks.
Realtime is the corporate entity associated with OnAir.
Games Gobal is represented by Cooley LLP, while OnAir has chosen Herbert Smith Freehills LLP to defend it.
NEXT.io has reached out to Playtech, Games Global and OnAir for comment.
