Slot manufacturer International Game Technology announced it is dropping its counter-lawsuit in the case of two inventors who are alleging patent infringement over their “Slot Sweepstakes” bonusing system.

The inventors, Steven Brandstetter and James Devlin, filed suit in 2008 against IGT, Bally Technologies and other slot manufacturers alleging that slot games from the manufacturers violate their pending patent on Slot Sweepstakes, which they had been developing since 1998.

IGT counter-sued with a lawsuit asking for an injunction to prevent Brandstetter and Devlin from receiving a patent for the invention. Last week’s action cancels that lawsuit, although the original case is still pending appeal in the Nevada Supreme Court.

Last year, a Nevada District Court judge dismissed the case and awarded reimbursement of attorney’s fees to two of the five defendants. The inventors appealed, and that case is pending before the state’s highest court.

By Staff