Slot manufacturer Bally Technologies announced that a federal court has ruled in Bally's favor in an appeal of a patent-infringement lawsuit filed by rival slot-maker International Game Technology over the use of wheel-style bonus games and 'iVIEW," Bally's interactive service window for networked gaming applications.

In a one-word order, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed a Nevada federal district court's decision that certain of Bally's wheel-based bonus slots and iVIEW products do not infringe IGT's patents, or that IGT's patents were invalid, or both. The appeals court affirmed the lower court's decision in all respects.

"We are gratified by the court's decision," said Bally Chief Executive Officer Richard Haddrill. "It validates our approach to innovation and our respect for the intellectual property of others."

The appellate court's decision disposes of IGT's entire case against Bally, leaving only Bally's antitrust claims against IGT for trial.

By Frank Legato

Frank Legato is editor of Casino Connection and also editor of Global Gaming Business magazine. He has been writing on gaming topics since 1984, when he launched and served as editor of Casino Gaming magazine. Legato, a nationally recognized expert on slot machines, has served as editor and reporter for a variety of gaming publications, including Public Gaming, IGWB, Casino Journal, Casino Player, Strictly Slots and Atlantic City Insider. He has an B.A. in journalism and an M.A. in communications from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. He is the author of the recently published book on gaming, How To Win Millions Playing Slot Machines... Or Lose Trying.