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IGT Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Alliance

RENO, Nevada – (PRESS RELEASE) -- International Game Technology (NYSE: IGT) confirmed today that it has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Alliance Gaming Corporation (NYSE: AGI) and its Bally Gaming, Inc. and Bally Gaming International, Inc. subsidiaries in the Federal District Court in Las Vegas.

The filing followed the issuance on December 7 of a new United States Patent to IGT. This patent is based on continuation of a patent application originally filed in 1994.

The lawsuit alleges the defendants are infringing the new patent and five other IGT patents covering gaming machines and systems that feature additional payout indicators such as bonus wheels and bonus reels, and touch screen display devices allowing for player interactivity. Several of the defendants' recently introduced gaming machines and systems are alleged in the lawsuit to be infringing the IGT patents.

"IGT has always vigorously defended its intellectual property," said Dave Johnson, general counsel for IGT. "Consistent with that philosophy, we have filed this case to stop defendants from misappropriating IGT's patented innovations in the areas of bonus gaming machine features and technology allowing players to communicate with games and systems. IGT has no plans at this time to seek a preliminary injunction or other short-term relief that would affect customers. We will wait for the legal process to proceed and address the issue of relief for IGT at the appropriate time."

IGT is a world leader in the design, development and manufacture of microprocessor-based gaming and video lottery products and software systems in all jurisdictions where gaming or video lottery is legal.

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