Banking group Macquarie said in a Monday note that slot machine specialist Aristocrat had on Friday (February 7) been denied, by an Australian court, a request for an interlocutory injunction against a market rival, Light & Wonder Inc, concerning the latter’s “Dragon Train” product.
On Tuesday, Light & Wonder clarified to GGRAsia that the Federal Court of Australia did on Friday deny an application by Aristocrat unit Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd, for “interlocutory relief” against Light & Wonder.
The reasons for the ruling were not to be disclosed until “further order”, to anyone other than the parties, their legal representatives, and court staff, according to the court.
In September, Aristocrat’s United States-based unit, Aristocrat Technologies Inc, said it had been granted a preliminary injunction by a U.S. court against Light & Wonder, after alleging the latter’s Dragon Train slot product infringed Aristocrat’s intellectual property.
Macquarie stated the institution took the view that the Australian court’s Friday step dispelled investor concerns regarding the impact of litigation on Light & Wonder’s previously sold Dragon Train games in the Australian market. It said there were approximately 10,000 Dragon Train units across Australia.
A JP Morgan Securities Australia Ltd note from February 5 stated that as of January, Light & Wonder had installed circa 4,700 Dragon Train games specifically within the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales.
GGRAsia also approached Aristocrat Leisure Ltd seeking comment on the reports concerning the Australian court case.
An Aristocrat spokesperson said: “Aristocrat notes the court’s ruling and will review its reasons once published.
“Aristocrat welcomes the undertakings given by Light & Wonder and Ms Charles, subject to final determination of the court, prior to the recent hearing in these proceedings.”
That was a reference to Emma Charles, a game developer that had previously worked for Aristocrat.
The spokesperson added: “Aristocrat will continue to pursue our substantive case against Light & Wonder in Australia, and the U.S., and seek all appropriate remedies as we robustly defend our intellectual property.”
Aristocrat filed a lawsuit in the U.S. in March 2024 against Light & Wonder, involving Dragon-themed titles offered by the two companies.
It concerned claimed infringement of Aristocrat’s intellectual property, including alleged “misappropriation of Aristocrat’s trade secrets” in connection with Light & Wonder’s Dragon Train game, said Aristocrat Technologies.
Light & Wonder said in October last year it had plans to “build out” a new version of Dragon Train.
(Updated 11.15am, February 11)
