AYRE BLOG ATTACKS ON PATENT CLAIM CONTINUE (Update)

14 September 2007

Bravado and banjo music aside, Bodog boss posts interesting opinions on 1st Technologies action


Bodog founder and CEO Calvin Ayre continued his blog assault on the 1st Technologies patent claims (see previous InfoPowa reports) midweek with some frank comments that will do little to create a climate for negotiation - if that is in fact desired at all.

In his latest blog posts, Ayre seems to be thumbing his nose at the 1st Technologies case, claiming that whilst it is [expletive] insane it is also a topic of some amusement and will be treated accordingly. Ayre writes: "…it is extremely important to see the obvious humor in this patent suit. That's why I've used my blog to express my opinions on the matter."

Bravado and banjo music from the movie "Deliverance" aside, the high profile online gambling entrepreneur does clarify:

1) His claim that the Nevada case decided against Bodog on default was not properly served

2) That he and his managers were remarkably ill-informed on 1st Technologies, which has licensed its patents to several leading online gambling companies. "I never heard of them until the domains were grabbed. I think grabbing the domains was a big mistake. If anything, they should have just taken control of them and then quietly negotiated a settlement," he writes.

3) "There is nothing Bodog likes more than a ready-made media circus."

4) He repeats his claim that "These guys are “Patent Trolls” and anyone that is curious to know more about them can look up the term on Wikipedia."

5) Most importantly, Ayre reveals that Bodog had been working on the North American licensing agreement for several months with Morris Mohawk as a natural evolution of the group's business model...and that: "It is just a coincidence that this deal was done shortly before the Patent Trolls at 1st Tech pinched the domains."

6) Expanding on the role of Morris Mohawk, Ayre says that the patent dispute is based solely on a US patent and that "Bodog international" does not operate in the US for gaming any more - the new Morris Mohawk Gaming Group does."

7) Because Bodog finds the issue entertaining, it will continue to "have some fun with it" and may even run "....marketing programs around this dispute if it's not settled."

8) Ayre considers himself personally fireproof, saying: "I am not a shareholder, officer or director of the company they are in [a US] court with…it is not active in our group and it was just an oversight that someone moved the domains into it. There is no possible way I can be dragged into that case."

Ayre concludes by answering a question regarding vulnerability to libel actions from his blog statements:

"This guy tried to ruin my life and the lives of thousands of others around the globe with this move. In my eyes he and his lawyer partners are sub-human. Patent Trolls are parasites on society and progress as a whole. They are modern day pirates preying on successful companies. Patent Trolls invent nothing, manufacture nothing and contribute nothing other than the messes their actions result in.

"I don't believe the obvious comedy on my blog is libelous, but to be honest I don't really care if it is. If they have a problem with it they can say sorry to everyone and go away or they can come see me and do something about it. In the meantime, I am going to continue to have my fun at their expense and promote Bodog while I’m at it.

"We're researching 1st Tech and its principals, including the lawyers involved and I will be posting details on all the background info we uncover…so stay tuned to my blog…the "Official Scott Lewis Patent Troll Website"!

Online Casino News courtesy of InfoPowa