Monday 21st April 2008 WPT Settles Lawsuit with Poker Pros
Chris Ferguson, Andy Bloch, Annie Duke, Phil Gordon and Howard Lederer will soon be back on the World Poker Tour events. Their absence from the events came about after a lawsuit against WPTE was tabled in July 2006 when they felt the release players who compete in WPT events are required to sign violated federal and state antitrust laws.
The release effectively gave WPTE the rights to use names and images in any way they wanted, from video games to commercials, with no compensation to the players. Some of the pros didn’t think this was fair, and that the move violated contracts they held with other companies.
The dispute was eventually settled after WPTE agreed to use a new standard form release which took effect from the beginning of the WPT Championship event at the Bellagio. No admission of wrongdoing was made by WPTE, nor was any money exchanged in the settlement.
“We are happy to have come to an agreement that is fair to all players, and to have put in place a new release that clears up ambiguities in how players’ images may be used,” said a press release from Chris Ferguson. “We are especially happy that this new release will apply to all poker players who wish to participate in WPT tournaments and events. WPTE has created some of the best poker events in the world, and we are excited to participate in them once again.”
Source: OnlineCasinoNews
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