Poker Players Settle Lawsuit with World Poker Tour

After almost two years of legal wrangling, a high profile group of poker players has settled its lawsuit against World Poker Tour Enterprises, Inc. (WPTE).  The group, which consisted of Chris Ferguson, Annie Duke, Howard Lederer, Andy Bloch, and Phil Gordon (Joe Hachem and Greg Raymer were part of the original group, but had removed themselves from the lawsuit), did not receive any money, but did see its issues resolved with WPTE. 

There were three primary complaints at hand: 

1. WPTE forbids its participating casinos from hosting any non-WPT televised events, essentially squelching competition.
2. WPTE and the casinos engage in price fixing, getting together to set all the terms, both in terms of entry fees and tournament structures, by which the players must abide.
3. WPTE requires all players to sign a release form which allows the WPTE to use their likenesses in any way it pleases, forcing the players to give up all intellectual property rights without any compensation. 

That final point about the required release form, was the biggest sticking point for the players.  By signing the release prior to playing in a World Poker Tour event, a player gives WPTE the right to use his likeness in any way the company sees fit, with no compensation awarded to the player. 

Ferguson said that one problem he saw with the release was that it could come into conflict with deals players had with other business.  For instance, he had an agreement with Activision for a video game, one in which he had licensed his name in likeness.  Jeffrey Kessler, legal counsel for the group, drew the comparison to players’ associations in professional sports leagues.  The associations get paid for licensing the players’ names and likenesses, and this money finds its way back to the players.  

In settling the dispute the players and the WPTE agreed on a new release, one that fixes the problems.   

Ferguson is relieved that it is all over. 

“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,” he said.  “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.”