Final Verdict Invalidates Spribe’s Trademarks and Upholds Copyright Infringement Claims
The Supreme Court of Georgia has delivered a decisive blow to Spribe in its high-profile intellectual property battle with Aviator, rejecting Spribe’s appeal and upholding the invalidation of its Aviator-related trademarks. The ruling, dated 20 May 2025, cements a precedent-setting victory for the creators of the original crash-style game and confirms Spribe’s trademark registration was executed in bad faith.
This ruling stems from a broader legal dispute over the rights to the “Aviator” name and airplane-themed imagery that are central to one of the most popular online casino games globally. Aviator, the original Georgian-based rights holder, has consistently argued that Spribe unlawfully copied its brand identity and violated its copyright through unauthorised registrations and usage.
$330 Million Judgment Previously Delivered in Georgia
The Supreme Court’s decision upholds an earlier judgment from the Court of First Instance that awarded Aviator a $330 million damages settlement against Spribe and Adjarabet, the Georgian-facing operator owned by Flutter Entertainment. That ruling also required Adjarabet to remove all infringing Aviator branding from its platform and invalidated the contested trademarks.
With the appeal now dismissed, Aviator’s intellectual property rights are affirmed in its home jurisdiction, reinforcing its legal foundation as it continues enforcement efforts abroad.
Implications for Ongoing EU Trademark Disputes
Aviator has filed multiple trademark invalidation requests with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), where proceedings remain active. A spokesperson from Aviator noted that the Georgian Supreme Court decision is expected to strengthen the company’s position in the EU, where Spribe has allegedly filed trademarks using similar branding and visuals.
Spribe has reportedly requested several deadline extensions at EUIPO to respond to Aviator’s claims. These include accusations of unauthorised use of protected names and assets on European iGaming platforms.
Global Enforcement Strategy Continues
Aviator, represented by the Georgian law firm Mikadze Gegetchkori Taktakishvili, has confirmed its intent to pursue trademark enforcement globally, particularly in markets where Spribe is active. Legal experts say the Georgian ruling could serve as persuasive precedent in other jurisdictions where questions of IP ownership and brand origin are under scrutiny.
Closing Thoughts
As the iGaming sector becomes increasingly saturated with cloned or derivative crash-game mechanics, this ruling marks an important milestone in the protection of original intellectual property. For Aviator, the Supreme Court victory reaffirms its standing not only as the original developer but also as a brand with enforceable global IP rights.
This case could serve as a wake-up call to companies attempting to fast-track growth by leveraging imitated assets and may reshape how licensing, branding, and trademark applications are scrutinised across the online gaming industry.
