When your game becomes a hit, imitation is almost guaranteed. The real question is: what are you going to do about it?
That’s exactly what SPRIBE was faced with after launching Aviator — a hugely popular crash-style game that’s been making waves globally, especially in the UK market.
Recently, SPRIBE took swift legal action against a competitor, Aviator LLC, which had developed and attempted to launch a game with the same name and near-identical concept. The UK High Court didn’t hesitate. It granted an interim injunction, stopping the rival game from entering the UK market altogether — a big win, not just for SPRIBE, but for all developers serious about protecting their IP.
So, What Actually Happened?
SPRIBE’s Aviator is one of the most successful crash games around, with millions of players worldwide. But its success led to imitation — and not the flattering kind. Aviator LLC, based in Georgia, developed a similar game and even called it “Aviator,” while trying to attract the same audience in the UK.
SPRIBE argued this was more than just a coincidence — it was a calculated attempt to trade off their brand. They went to court in London, armed with claims of copyright and trade mark infringement, and the court agreed there was a real issue to be tried. The injunction blocks the release of the copycat game in the UK, at least until the matter goes to full trial.
The judge didn’t mince words either — describing the defendant’s behaviour as evasive and disingenuous. A clear sign that UK courts take this kind of infringement seriously.
What’s an Interim Injunction?
If you discover someone is infringing your IP, an interim injunction is one of the fastest and strongest remedies available. It’s a court order that can stop a product from launching — or being advertised — while a case is ongoing.
In the UK, courts issue them when:
- There’s a serious issue to be tried,
- Damages wouldn’t be enough to fix the harm, and
- The balance of convenience favours granting it.
This is exactly what happened here. SPRIBE moved quickly, and the court acted fast. Timing matters.
What Can Game Developers Learn From This?
The message is clear: protect your IP early, and don’t sit back if someone crosses the line. Here’s what we tell our clients in the games industry:
- Register your trade marks — especially game titles, logos, and distinctive branding. It makes enforcement far easier.
- Understand your copyright — your game code, design, graphics, and music are automatically protected, but you need to be able to prove ownership.
- Monitor the market — if something feels like a copy, flag it early. Delay weakens your position.
- Act fast if you need to — whether it’s a cease and desist letter or an injunction, the earlier you act, the better.
How we can help?
At Lawdit, we work with indie developers, studios, and publishers who want to focus on building great games — not fighting legal fires. But when things go wrong, we’re here.
We’ve helped clients:
- Shut down copycats
- Draft cease and desist letters
- File and defend trade marks
- Secure injunctions when needed
Our goal is simple: keep your ideas safe so you can keep creating. If you’ve spotted something dodgy or just want to get your IP house in order, let’s talk. Get in touch with our team or book 30-minutes free consultation today!
