Spribe has won a critical legal battle in the UK High Court, which on August 1 issued an interim injunction preventing Georgia-based Aviator LLC from launching or promoting its version of the Aviator crash game within the country.
The ruling supports Spribe’s claim that Aviator LLC had copied not just the game’s core mechanics but also its branding—an infringement that Spribe says threatens both its reputation and revenues.
Spribe launched Aviator in 2018 and has held a UK gambling license since 2020, making it a well-established player in the crash game market. The company argued that Aviator LLC’s product was a deliberate knockoff aimed at exploiting the brand’s commercial success.
Court Slams Aviator LLC’s Conduct
The UK High Court didn’t hold back in criticizing Aviator LLC’s behavior during the case, calling it “childlike” and “petulant.” The court pointed to misleading evidence, evasive tactics, and a lack of transparency—including Aviator LLC’s refusal to hand over crucial documents and its failure to clearly disclose its intent to enter the UK market.
Spribe’s legal team also exposed how Aviator LLC tried to hide behind a shifting network of licensees, which it linked to Georgian businessman Temur Ugulava. According to Spribe, this was a calculated effort to dodge accountability and confuse the legal trail.
Cross-Border Tensions and Conflicting Judgments
This isn’t the first time the two companies have clashed. In Georgia, Aviator LLC was previously awarded $330 million in damages after a local court sided with the company in a trademark case involving Spribe affiliate Adjarabet, a Flutter subsidiary. That decision was upheld by the Georgian Supreme Court in May 2025, but Spribe maintains that the ruling applies only within Georgia and has no bearing on its international rights.
Spribe’s trademarks remain protected across the UK, EU, and other key markets. The company continues to reject any suggestion that Aviator LLC holds ownership of the original game or brand.
Aggressive Tactics and Global IP Defense
Spribe has also accused Aviator LLC and its related entities—including Aviator Studio Group and AviGroup—of reaching out to its clients in the UK with false claims of IP ownership, while promoting their copycat version of the game. These efforts, Spribe said, are part of a broader campaign to hijack its market presence.
CEO David Natroshvili welcomed the UK court’s decision as a critical step in defending both the company and the broader crash game sector.
“We will continue to take all necessary steps globally to protect Spribe, our partners, and players from any third parties who seek to undermine or infringe our rights,” he said.
Wider Implications for the iGaming Sector
The case shines a spotlight on the increasing legal tension surrounding crash games, a fast-growing genre in the iGaming world. Earlier this year, Spribe also took action against PopOk Gaming for similar allegations of intellectual property theft.
Although Aviator LLC may still try to appeal the UK High Court’s decision, the ruling stands as a firm warning against IP infringement—and a sign that courts in regulated markets are ready to back rights holders.
