LAS VEGAS, Sept. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Bally Technologies, Inc. , a leader in slots, video machines, casino management systems, and networked solutions for the global gaming industry, announced today that the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada has deemed Bally's wheel indicator patent invalid based on obviousness and prior art. The decision (Docket No. 3:06-CV-0483-ECR-RAM) was granted under a motion by International Game Technology for summary judgment. The Bally patent has a priority date before that of the patents that IGT is asserting against Bally in a separate suit, yet the Court still determined it obvious.
In issuing its order, the Court cited the recent Supreme Court decision of KSR International Co. v. Teleflex, Inc., and determined that the combination of prior art, coupled with the well-known use of a wheel in gaming, rendered the claims obvious. The Court's order does not negatively impact any Bally products in the field.
Richard Haddrill, Chief Executive Officer of Bally Technologies, said, "This underscores the difficulty in bringing suit on patents in our industry post KSR, and we feel this decision strengthens our position in the other litigation brought by IGT also in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada."
About Bally Technologies, Inc.
With a history dating back to 1932, Las Vegas-based Bally Technologies designs, manufactures, operates and distributes advanced gaming devices, systems and technology solutions worldwide. Bally's product line includes reel-spinning slot machines, video slots, wide-area progressives and Class II, lottery and central determination games and platforms. As the world's No. 1 gaming systems company, Bally also offers an array of casino management, slot accounting, bonusing, cashless and table management solutions. The Company also owns and operates the Rainbow Casino in Vicksburg, Miss. Additional Company information, including the Company's investor presentations, can be found at http://www.ballytech.com/.
This news release may contain "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is subject to the safe harbor created thereby. Such information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect the results in the future and, accordingly, such results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Future operating results may be adversely affected as a result of a number of risks that are detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update the information in this press release and represents that the information is only valid as of today's date.
Investor Contact: Robert Caller Media Contact: Laura Olson-Reyes
(702) 584-7982 (702) 584-7742
