California Court Allows Swish Analytics to Proceed with Lawsuit Against OddsJam
Background of the Legal Dispute
In a recent decision, the California Superior Court has refused to dismiss a legal action filed by Swish Analytics against OddsJam. This lawsuit, ongoing for about a year, centers around claims that OddsJam improperly used Swish’s proprietary calculations for sports betting odds.
Swish Analytics Files a Lawsuit
In December 2024, Swish Analytics, a startup specializing in sports analytics, betting, and fantasy sports, initiated a lawsuit against OddsJam. The complaint alleges that OddsJam, which compiles odds data from various sources including Swish, went beyond aggregation and unlawfully appropriated Swish’s unique odds calculations.
The lawsuit includes accusations such as misappropriation of data, exploitation of time-sensitive information known as “hot news,” unfair competition, unjust enrichment, and intentional interference with business relations.
To clarify, “hot news misappropriation” relates to the unauthorized use of rapid, time-sensitive information like live sports betting odds.
Court Decision Favors Swish Analytics
OddsJam attempted to dismiss the case, arguing that Swish’s claims were insufficient and that hot news misappropriation is no longer a valid cause of action in California, having been replaced by copyright laws at both state and federal levels.
However, Judge Christine Van Aken ruled against OddsJam’s dismissal request. She acknowledged that Swish Analytics presented valid claims, including the hot news misappropriation. Furthermore, the judge found that Swish’s case was not pre-empted by California’s trade secrets statute and that all allegations were sufficiently detailed.
Next Steps in the Lawsuit
With the judge’s decision, Swish Analytics will continue to pursue the lawsuit. OddsJam is now obliged to respond to the claims before the case moves forward to discovery and possibly to trial. This ruling marks a significant development in the dispute between the two companies over the ownership and use of sports betting odds data.
