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Stars file for summary judgement against WPT

2007-03-15 17:45:34

Some of the biggest names in poker have filed a motion in a federal district court in Los Angeles requesting summary judgement against World Poker Tour (WPT) Enterprises, it has been revealed.

Players including Chris Ferguson, Joe Hachem, Howard Lederer and Phil Gordon claim that the WPT owner conspired to force them into signing away their image, voice and naming rights without charge.

The prohibition of related casinos being forbidden to sponsor non-WPT events is also coming under threat from the players as they seek to reclaim their intellectual property rights.

"If the players prevail in this summary judgment motion, WPTE's unlawful agreements will come to a quick end without the need for further discovery or a trial," said the players' lead counsel Jeffrey Kessler.

"All poker players would then be able to compete in WPT tournaments without being forced to give up their valuable intellectual property rights for no compensation and the casinos would be free to sponsor competing televised poker tournaments of their own," he added, according to Online-Casinos.com

"Poker players have to take a stand and say enough is enough. Without the players, there's no show. Until the players and TV producers realise this players will never get a fair deal," said Howard Lederer in an interview with TotalGambler.com last year.


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