Federal Court Rules Bally Infringes IGT's Bonusing Patents
April 29 2009 - 7:54PM
PR Newswire (US)
RENO, Nev., April 29 /PRNewswire/ -- International Game Technology
(NYSE: IGT) announced today that Judge Sue L. Robinson of the
United States District Court for the District of Delaware ruled
that Bally Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BYI), and its affiliates Bally
Gaming International, Inc. and Bally Gaming, Inc., infringed IGT's
U.S. Patent Nos. RE37, 885 (the "'885 patent") and RE38, 812 (the
"'812 patent"). The court ruled that Bally's "Power Rewards(TM)"
technology infringed claims 10, 33, and 46 of the '885 patent and
claims 21 and 44 of the '812 patent, and that Bally's "ACSC Power
Winners(TM)" infringed claims 10 and 46 of the '885 patent. The
court also granted IGT's motion for summary judgment that the '885
and '812 patents are valid. In the same order, Judge Robinson
denied Bally's motion for a ruling that IGT's U.S. Patent No.
6,431,983 ("the '983 patent") is invalid but found that Bally's
"SDS Power Winners(TM)" did not infringe the '885 patent and that
Bally's "Power Bank(TM)" and "Power Promotions(TM)" did not
infringe the '983 patent. IGT filed this lawsuit against Bally in
2006. The lawsuit alleges that the infringement has taken place
despite defendants' knowledge that IGT's patents cover the Bally
Power Bonusing(TM) technology. The lawsuit seeks monetary damages
and an injunction. IGT expects there will be a trial to assess
damages following a period of related discovery. "We are pleased
that the court has affirmed the validity of our patents and their
infringement. We believe strongly in the United States patent
system and the need to protect our intellectual property and
respect the valid intellectual property rights of others," said
Patti Hart, IGT's President and Chief Executive Officer.
International Game Technology (http://www.igt.com/) is a global
company specializing in the design, development, manufacturing,
distribution and sales of computerized gaming machines and systems
products. Statements in this release which are not historical facts
are "forward looking" statements under the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although IGT believes that the
expectations reflected in any of its forward-looking statements are
reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those
projected or assumed. IGT's future financial condition and results
of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are
subject to change and to inherent known and unknown risks and
uncertainties. IGT does not intend, and undertakes no obligation,
to update our forward-looking statements to reflect future events
or circumstances. Information on risks and factors that could
affect IGT's business and financial results are included in our
public filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
DATASOURCE: International Game Technology CONTACT: Craig Billings,
VP Corporate Finance and Investor Relations, or Patrick Cavanaugh,
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, both of
International Game Technology, 1-866-296-4232 Web Site:
http://www.igt.com/
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