U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada Judge Issues Ruling in Case Against Bally; IGT Will Appeal Rulings at Appropriate Time
RENO, Nev., Oct. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- International Game Technology announced today that Judge Robert C. Jones of the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada issued summary judgment rulings in Case No. CV-S-04-1676-RCJ between IGT and Bally Technologies, Inc., finding certain of IGT's patents-in-suit, including patents that IGT alleges cover Bally's bonus wheel gaming machines, invalid based on obviousness. The ruling also found that Bally was not infringing certain of the patent claims asserted by IGT.
The ruling does not affect the validity of IGT's asserted patent relating to bonus reel games, and also does not affect the validity of (nor certain claims for infringement under) IGT's asserted patent covering a universal player tracking system. The court has scheduled a hearing to address issues relating to appellate review of the summary judgment rulings, as well as the claims and counterclaims that remain pending, which are currently set for trial on November 4, 2008.
"IGT is disappointed by these rulings. However, we continue to strongly believe that our positions are correct and that we will ultimately prevail. We intend to continue to vigorously pursue this lawsuit, and if necessary will appeal the rulings at the appropriate time," said TJ Matthews, IGT's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
"On appeal, these decisions will be reviewed by a specialized patent court in Washington, D.C., the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. The Federal Circuit will review most of the issues de novo. Under this standard, the Federal Circuit will review the issues as if they were being presented for the first time. We look forward to presenting the merits of IGT's position to that Court," said Dave Johnson, IGT's Executive Vice President and General Counsel.
IGT (http://www.igt.com/) is a global company specializing in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and sales of computerized gaming machines and systems products.
Statements in this release, which are not historical facts, are "forward looking" statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although IGT believes that the expectations reflected in any of its forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed. IGT's future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to change and to inherent known and unknown risks and uncertainties. IGT does not intend, and undertakes no obligation, to update forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.
Information on risks and factors that could affect IGT's business and financial results are included in our public filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
International Game Technology
CONTACT: Patrick Cavanaugh, Investor Relations of International Game
Technology, 1-866-296-4232
Web Site: http://www.igt.com/
