Aviator LLC Challenges Spribe Over UK Legal Dispute on Game Rights

Background of the Dispute Between Aviator LLC and Spribe

The ongoing dispute between Georgian developer Aviator LLC and gaming company Spribe has intensified following a recent court decision in the United Kingdom. While Spribe has hailed this decision as a legal win, Aviator LLC argues that the matter is far from concluded and disputes Spribe’s portrayal of the ruling.

Aviator LLC Responds to UK Court Injunction Claims

Last week, Spribe announced that it obtained an interim injunction from the High Court in London that prevents Aviator LLC from launching its own version of the “Aviator” crash game within the UK market. Spribe framed the injunction as confirmation that Aviator LLC had duplicated its game and aimed to lure away its UK customers.

However, Aviator LLC insists that the injunction is merely a temporary procedural measure without any substantive commercial or legal implications. The company emphasized that the court has not yet ruled on who owns the game’s copyright or whether any infringement has occurred, effectively rejecting the accusations put forth by Spribe.

“We are eager to fully present our case both in the UK and other jurisdictions, and remain optimistic about our ultimate success,” said Nikoloz Gogilidze, Aviator LLC’s legal counsel.

Aviator LLC also clarified that it currently has no plans to offer its games in the UK, making the injunction largely symbolic. The legal team highlighted that Aviator has not applied for a UK Gambling Commission license—which is required for lawful operations there—but maintained that the injunction does not prevent such an application in the future.

Unyielding Positions Amidst a Growing Market

The dispute centers around the popular “crash” game genre. Spribe launched its Aviator game licensed for the UK market in 2020 and quickly gained significant popularity. Spribe accuses Aviator LLC of releasing a copycat game under the same name and attempting to divert its customers. Conversely, Aviator LLC claims to be the original creator of the Aviator game and brand, citing a landmark legal victory in Georgia earlier this year supporting their ownership claims.

The situation in the UK contrasts strongly with that in Georgia. Spribe has attempted not only to halt Aviator LLC’s market entry in the UK but also to prohibit the use of the Aviator name and restrict Aviator LLC from claiming ownership publicly. The UK court declined these broader restrictions, resulting in the current limited injunction.

According to the recent UK court decision, if it is later determined that the injunction was wrongly issued, Spribe will be required to compensate Aviator LLC for any losses incurred. Aviator LLC sees this ruling as an indication that the court aims to maintain stability until the case is fully resolved. Both companies appear determined to defend their positions publicly as the legal proceedings continue with no immediate resolution in sight.