Acres Manufacturing, and its Foundation casino management system (CMS), have just prevailed in a patent case begun by IGT in 2021.
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) reviewed four patents based on International Game Technology’s (IGT) assertions of infringement, but rejected each claim from the service provider.
Over 200 assimilated patents are currently associated with cashless wagering. Acres’ Foundation app was ready in February 2022 and Foundation cashless gaming was approved by state regulators in 2023. IGT asked the company to pay royalty fees as part of its patent infringement claims, which would have substantially raised the cost of Foundation to interested casinos.
Acres’ submission of prior art evidence to the USPTO was sufficient enough for a re-examination, as well as for the claims from IGT to be rejected. Foundation uses real-time data and a direct interface from slot machine to credit meter.
Founder John Acres said of the dropped claims, “Foundation provides operators with a wide range of new capabilities.
“Presuming the findings from the USPTO stand — which I believe is highly probable — all claims of infringement against Foundation will be dismissed and Foundation pricing will not increase, delivering a win for Acres and for our casino customers. In my opinion, these patents should never have been asserted against us."
Acres recently named David Bain as its new CFO in October, as well as taking home the Product Innovation of the Year Global Gaming Award from the Las Vegas ceremony earlier that month for its Cashless Casino solution.
