William Hill US sues FanDuel over copyright infringement claims
Operator alleges “irreparable injury” over claims FanDuel copied its novice betting guide
William Hill US has launched a lawsuit against FanDuel, accusing the operator of copying its ‘How To Bet Guide’ for novice US sports bettors.
Hills filed a civil suit in New Jersey’s federal court claiming FanDuel’s ‘How To Bet Betting Guide’ first distributed at the Meadowlands Racetrack in July infringed its copyright. It alleges FanDuel’s pamphlet is “is a blatant infringement of the William Hill Copyrighted Work”.
The suit cites several instances of duplication between the two pamphlets, including the use of the same betting examples and lettering.
However, the most damning evidence of copyright infringement comes in the ‘Alternate and Reverse run lines’ section, where FanDuel’s pamphlet reads: “Alternate & reverse run lines are propositioned wagers offered by William Hill on each baseball game.”
In addition to these infringements, the lawsuit also alleges that several articles in the sports betting guides category were “unauthorised, substantially identical copies” of William Hill’s copyrighted work.
Based on this evidence, Hills concludes that the infringement has been: “wilful and intentional, and in disregard of and with indifference to the rights of William Hill” and is causing the business “irreparable injury.”
As such the company is seeking statutory damages and costs from FanDuel, together with a permanent injunction preventing the business from further copyright use and a full disclosure of any profits made by the business as a result of these infringements.
In a statement reported by ESPN, William Hill US CEO Joe Asher said: “We are not litigious people but this is ridiculous. If the court finds in our favour, a portion of the proceeds will fund scholarships for creative writing programs at New Jersey universities.”
A William Hill spokesperson told EGR: “We are keen to get a settlement to support creative original writing”.
No public statement has been made by FanDuel since the lawsuit was filed on Tuesday.