Aviator LLC loses court battle against Spribe in the UK
In a significant legal victory, Spribe, a leading gaming company, has secured an interim injunction from the UK High Court, preventing Aviator LLC from launching or marketing its "Aviator" crash game in the UK market. This ruling, handed down on August 1, 2025, is seen by Spribe as a major step in protecting its intellectual property rights and brand reputation in the UK.
Spribe, which has operated the Aviator game in the UK since 2020 under a gambling license, has been the sole owner of the game globally since its creation in 2018. The court criticized Aviator LLC’s conduct during the proceedings as "childlike" and "petulant," citing withholding of documents, misleading information, and attempts to obscure their involvement through complex licensing structures.
However, Aviator LLC disputes the practical effect of this UK ruling. They argue that the injunction addresses only an interim measure in the UK and does not rule on the merits or ownership of intellectual property. Aviator states it had no plans to enter the UK market anyway, so the injunction simply maintains the status quo and has no real commercial impact. Their lawyer emphasized that the court did not assess Spribe's claims’ substance but only found them arguable enough to justify the interim relief.
The broader legal battle continues, with conflicting rulings in Georgia and ongoing disputes over global intellectual property rights. Previously, a Georgian court awarded Aviator LLC $330 million in damages related to trademark issues, a ruling Spribe rejects and says does not affect their worldwide IP ownership.
David Natroshvili, Spribe Founder and CEO, stated that he is pleased the UK Court supports Spribe's position and has granted an injunction preventing Aviator LLC from launching and promoting its copycat game. He reiterated that Spribe will continue to take all necessary steps globally to protect its rights.
This status reflects a live and contentious legal conflict with no final resolution on overall ownership but a clear UK court restriction on Aviator LLC’s activities pending further proceedings. The flawed Georgian ruling followed an unusually rapid and procedurally flawed legal process. Despite the ongoing dispute, Spribe's Aviator game has been successful in the UK market.
Spribe's legal victory in the UK High Court signifies a significant step in consolidating its technology-based intellectual property rights and brand reputation in the UK. The court's critique of Aviator LLC's conduct further emphasizes Spribe's position, highlighting the gaming company's efforts to protect its unique Aviator game.
