WPT settles lawsuit with poker pros
By Emmie
21st April, 2008
The World Poker Tour (WPT) has settled a lawsuit filed by some of the biggest names in poker over alleged violations of federal and state antitrust laws.
World-renowned poker players such as Annie Duke, Andy Bloch, Phil Gordon, Chris Ferguson and Howard Lederer all put their name to the litigation in July 2006.
They alleged that the WPT contract they were presented with when signing up for the tournament forbade them from using their images and names to promote products and video games.
In one case, pictures of Vegas-resident Howard Lederer were even used in a WPT video game that directly competes with World Championship Poker - a title in which he and sister Annie Duke appear.
Commenting on the resolution of the lawsuit, WPT founder Steve Lipscomb insisted that no monetary compensation had been issued and said instead both parties had agreed to a new standard form release.
"We are glad to put this dispute behind us, and we look forward to working with all players to grow the sport of poker," he said.
Chris Ferguson added: "We are happy to have come to an agreement that is fair to all players, and to have put in place a new release that clears up ambiguities in how players' images may be used."
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