Ongoing Trade Secrets Dispute Between Aristocrat and Light & Wonder Intensifies

Aristocrat Accuses Light & Wonder of Delaying Tactics in Legal Battle

The prolonged legal conflict between Australian gaming supplier Aristocrat and its competitor Light & Wonder (L&W) continues without signs of resolution. Aristocrat recently escalated the dispute by filing new allegations in a US federal court, claiming that L&W has used questionable game mathematical models in one of its undisclosed titles. This new claim builds on earlier accusations regarding the unauthorized use of concepts from Aristocrat’s popular Dragon Train series. The case has attracted wide attention due to its potential impact on the gaming industry.

Aristocrat Seeks Extended Access to Key Evidence

In a supplementary court submission in Nevada on August 19, Aristocrat highlighted what it believes is an admission from L&W about the use of disputed mathematical models in their development work. Aristocrat is urging the court to grant it additional time to review more of L&W’s internal files, which it considers crucial for verifying the claims made by its rival. With the discovery phase nearing its conclusion, Aristocrat argues that vital documents have not yet been fully disclosed, potentially hindering its ability to build a strong case.

Notably, the new allegations concern a game developed by a different L&W studio than the one linked to the Dragon Train controversy. Aristocrat suggests this indicates the possibility that multiple titles might be involved in the alleged misuse of proprietary information, expanding the scale of the dispute beyond the initial product.

Light & Wonder Denies Wrongdoing and Defends Its Actions

The court has ordered L&W to cease distribution of its Dragon Train games within the United States, but it has rejected Aristocrat’s request to gain access to the underlying math models, limiting the scope of evidence discovery. This ruling has complicated efforts towards an early legal resolution, leaving Aristocrat dependent on the ongoing examination of court-disclosed materials—a process it now claims is being obstructed by its competitor.

Aristocrat has expressed concern over missing accounting records amounting to six terabytes related to the Dragon Train games and incomplete responses from L&W about the specific mathematical methods employed. Conversely, L&W maintains its innocence, firmly denying any infringement of Aristocrat’s intellectual property and accusing Aristocrat of overstepping in the litigation.

Prolonged Legal Dispute Could Influence Gaming Industry Norms

The back-and-forth developments suggest that this high-profile legal fight could continue well into 2025 before reaching any trial or settlement. Both companies remain steadfast, making this one of the most closely monitored conflicts in the gaming sector. The outcome is poised to have far-reaching consequences not only for the parties involved but also for broader legal standards concerning proprietary gaming mathematics and software design protection in courts.