PokerStars Looking into Patenting Speed Poker?

With the acquisition of Full Tilt Poker the pioneer in launching fast poker action with its Rush Poker product, Pokerstars could be investigating the possibility of patenting the concept.

Ever since its inception, speed poker has become one of the most popular concepts and it is now featured on numerous online poker networks, including Relax Gaming, Instadeal, Microgaming, Party Poker and Playtech’s iPoker - certain reports indicate that it now accounts for more than one in four online cash game poker hands.

According to PokerStars legal chief Paul Telford, "We are doing a full review of our Rush patent applications and will cross reference these with our existing Zoom patent applications to ensure we have broad protection in the area of fast fold poker.

"If necessary, we will use these patents to protect the inventive elements of the Rush and Zoom products and are working closely with our legal advisers to develop a coordinated patent enforcement strategy."

However, while patent protection could have significant commercial and monetary value for PokerStars and Full Tilt, the process may run into serious opposition from other online poker companies.

Namely, one of these companies’ representative stated that a patent like that would be unenforceable and pointed to the example of PokerStars’ Zoom, which was launched before the acquisition of Full Tilt Poker and its alleged patent rights to the idea.

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