UK court backs Spribe in Aviator legal dispute over crash game branding

There has been a long-running legal battle between crash game developer Spribe and Aviator LLC. This has taken another turn after a UK High Court judge handed Spribe what legal observers are describing as an important procedural victory.

The dispute is surrounding the hugely successful Aviator crash game. This is one of the most recognisable titles in online gambling. The ruling does not determine who owns the Aviator brand or whether copyright infringement occurred. That said, it does change how the case will be argued when it eventually reaches a full trial.

Judge rejects attempt to fast-track ownership dispute

The latest development came on 22 May. This is when Deputy Judge Michael Tappin KC considered arguments relating to copyright ownership and the relevance of previous court rulings from Georgia.

Aviator LLC is linked to Georgian businessman Temur Ugulava. He has argued that Spribe improperly used branding associated with its Aviator business. The company has sought to establish ownership rights that could strengthen its claims against Spribe.

However, the judge rejected Aviator LLC’s attempt to separate ownership issues into a preliminary hearing. Instead, he ruled that the matter could not be isolated from wider questions involving disputed facts and Georgian law.

The decision means ownership arguments will now be examined as part of the full trial rather than being decided in advance.

Foreign court rulings must be considered

One aspect of the ruling was on the role of previous judgments issued by Georgian courts.

Aviator LLC had argued that English law should determine whether those rulings created binding legal consequences for the UK proceedings. Judge Tappin disagreed.

He concluded that because the claims involve copyright protection across multiple countries that are signatories to the Berne Convention, the court must take into account the laws applicable in each jurisdiction where protection is being claimed.

The ruling effectively strengthens Spribe’s position. This is because it prevents the dispute from being assessed solely through the lens of English law.

Background to the Aviator dispute

The case has attracted significant attention across the gambling industry. This is because of how popular Spribe’s Aviator game is.

Aviator was launched in 2019 and helped popularise the crash game genre. The gist of it is that players place bets and attempt to cash out before an on-screen aircraft flies away. The simple gameplay mechanic has become one of the most successful innovations in online casino gaming in recent years. It is now offered by hundreds of operators worldwide.

As a result, ownership of the Aviator name and associated intellectual property has become a high-stakes issue. There are potential implications for one of the industry's most valuable gaming brands.

Full trial still to come

Despite the significance of the latest ruling, the core issues in the dispute are yet to be solved.

Judge Tappin did not make any findings on copyright ownership, trademark rights or whether infringement took place. Those questions will be examined during a future trial. Both sides will have the opportunity to present detailed evidence.

For now, Spribe has secured an important procedural win. But the wider battle over one of online gambling's most recognisable brands is far from over.

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