FIRST TECHNOLOGY PATENTS QUESTIONED

26 September 2008

Latest ruling by the United States Patent and Trademark Office could short circuit Scott Lewis claims

First Technology LLC, the US company led by Dr Scott Lewis which claims patent rights to online gambling technology that has created problems for a number of operators with its claims, most prominently Bodog, is itself under the microscope by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, it appears.

There were reports this week on the sportsbetting portal Point-Spreads.com that the United States Patent & Trademark Office has dismissed First Technology's request to vacate a re-examination request of U.S. Patent No. 5,564,001. Apparently the USPTO felt the declaration of CEO Scott W. Lewis was improper and it will be expunged from the official file which is currently under review for the validity of the method patent that Lewis has been using to secure licensing deals from operators and providers.

Because First Technology launches litigation in US Courts, where some online operators are reluctant to appear, default judgements are a danger as was the case with Bodog, which saw its domains confiscated and a default judgement of tens of millions of dollars secured.

Until the USPTO review is completed, First Technology is enjoined from making further claims on industry companies.

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