Signaling what may be an escalation in the ongoing feud between the two companies, Japanese pachinko giant Aruze today lodged a disposition in Tokyo District Court blocking SNK Playmore's upcoming entry into the pachinko business.
Aruze's claim states that Playmore's new Metal Slug pachinko machine, with which the company hoped to kick off an escalating effort in the development of the popular Japanese gambling devices, violates its patents on some elements of pachinko machine design.
Aruze may have a legitimate complaint, but it may have other motivations as well. The two companies are already embroiled in an ongoing dispute over alleged trademark violations by Aruze -- Playmore claims that Aruze made use of some SNK character properties after Playmore had purchased those trademarks. A preliminary court ruling in that case favored Playmore, but Aruze has promised to appeal.
With the introduction of this new issue, we can see the Aruze/Playmore dispute continuing for some time. We'll have more news as it arises.
Copyright © 2004 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in 1UP.
