SHFL Entertainment (Asia) Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of U.S.-based gaming supplier SHFL Entertainment Inc, is scheduled to commence a trial hearing before the Court of First Instance in Macau today, regarding the patent for its Rapid Baccarat product, the parent company said. This is the latest episode in a longstanding dispute between SHFL and Macau-based gaming supplier LT Game Ltd and its principal, Jay Chun. The issue first arose during the 2009 G2E Asia gaming show, when Mr Chun claimed that SHFL’s Rapid Baccarat product infringed on one of his patents for multi-terminal systems combining electronic betting with a live dealer and live baccarat. The dispute flared up again during last year’s G2E Asia. LT Game claims it has the only patented multi-terminal betting system for live baccarat available here, enjoying a de facto monopoly in this segment. SHFL disputes any infringement and in separate proceedings is seeking to invalidate Mr Chun’s patent. SHFL said in a statement it “intends to vigorously pursue its case with certainty that the alleged infringement is totally unsubstantiated.”
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