Everest Poker Sues American Gambling Company Harrah’s over Contract, Copyright Laws

A third lawsuit has been added in the legal war going on between Harrah’s Entertainment Inc. and Everest Poker, a provider of online poker sites in the United States and abroad, with the latter filing a complaint in Nevada court on grounds of copyright infringement.  

The disputes go back to the 2008 World Series of Poker event. In April of this year, Ultra Internet Media S.A., Everest’s parent company, brought a lawsuit claiming violation of contract terms by Harrah’s during the 2008 and 2009 WSOPs. In those tournaments, Everest was named as a tournament sponsor for a total of $14.1 million in payments. 

Ultra Internet and Everest Poker complained in the first lawsuit that in broadcasts of the WSOP to France, Everest Poker logos appearing on the tables in the American poker rooms were digitally wiped and replaced with Full Tilt Poker logos. In response, Harrah’s countersued with a breach of contract charge. Harrah’s officials claimed that Ultra Internet Media had “gained all of the exposure for its website that it could have hoped for, and more.” 

On Friday, Everest Gaming Ltd. claimed in court that Harrah’s was still using Everest Poker trademarks during the 2010 World Series of Poker. Everest’s original contract called for WSOP sponsorship for three years, but Everest officials backed their company out of the deal with the suit in April. 

The most recent complaint stated that “The felt on the poker tables being used for the 2010 World Series of Poker features at least one of Everest Poker logo trademark” and that the “defendants are refusing to remove the trademarks in an effort to try to force payment by Everest for defendant’s use of such marks, and in order to bolster the legitimacy of the World Series of Poker in the minds of tournament participants, fans and the viewing public.” 

Harrah’s officials have not commented on the most recent lawsuit.