Lightning Poker files lawsuit against PokerTek

BOOTHWYN, Pennsylvania -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Lightning Poker, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Lightning Gaming, Inc. (Nasdaq: LTGM), a global leader in automated electronic poker tables, today announced that it has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against PokerTek, Inc. (Nasdaq: PTEK). The complaint, filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, alleges that PokerTek infringes United States Patent No. 7,306,516, owned by Lightning Poker. The Lightning Poker patent, relates generally to an electronic poker table with a center monitor screen showing multiple community cards and betting information for each player. PokerTek is accused of using, selling and offering for sale poker tables that infringe Lightning Poker's U.S. patent. The complaint is seeking unspecified monetary damages from PokerTek as well as a permanent injunction barring the use and sale of all of PokerTek's products throughout the United States.

"Although Lightning Poker recognizes and respects the constant innovation in gaming technology, we cannot permit willful infringement of our valuable intellectual property. PokerTek has exploited the innovations covered by our patent for its own benefit in the face of our patent," said Brian D. Haveson, president and CEO of Lightning Poker. "Lightning Poker is a pioneer in automated poker and annually invests millions of dollars in research and development to create technologies that bring significant value to our customers and players. We are determined to remain a leader by leveraging our superior functionality and high reliability, and by vigorously defending our intellectual property," Haveson continued.