ATG Launches iGaming Lawsuit in Sweden Over Copyright Infringement

With Sweden’s introduction of an online gambling licensing and regulation system, the former state-owned monopolies must now fend for themselves. It is this battle for self-reliance and financial viability that lies behind the lawsuit filed by AB Trav och Galopp (ATG) against a fellow Swedish operator Svenska Spel.

 Stay In Your Lane

ATG is a collaborative body incorporating the sports of trotting and galloping in Sweden owned by Svensk Transport and Svensk Galopp. With the end of the gambling monopoly in Sweden, the company is no longer the only one able to offer bets on trot and canter.

However, they claim that while they may no longer hold a state-approved monopoly, they still maintain contractual and legal rights which Svenska Spel have infringed upon.

Hasse Lord Skarplöth, CEO of ATG, said:

“The lawsuit concerns, among other things, the revocation of a trademark due to a violation of ATG’s company name and was filed with the Patent and Market Court of the Stockholm District Court. Protecting our brands is part of our duty to our owners Svensk Travsport and Svensk Galopp, as well as all tens of thousands in the country whose industry is equestrian.”

The trademark infringement in question refers to the use of the term “Trav och Galopp” which ATG claims it registered with the Swedish Business Registration Office back in 1973.

 Cross-Border Partnership

Rather than continue to work ATG to promote horse racing in Sweden, Svenska Spel has partnered with the French company, Pari-Mutuel Urbain (PMU). Their newly-minted gambling product was launched as Svenska Spel Trotting & Gallop.

In addition to using a controversial name, the new site offers Swedish players the chance to bet on both local and international racing events. The inclusion of international betting is something that ATG does not offer at this time and is feared could draw away Swedish bettors from the local service:

Hasse Lord Skarplöth defended the ATG saying:

“ATG is the only gambling company that contributes to the welfare of equestrian sport. So it is about ensuring the future supply of the Swedish equestrian sport.”

While there is a level of truth to the claim that horseracing in Sweden will face financial losses due to ATG’s diminishing revenue stream the company has not wasted any time adding casino games to its offering since the introduction of licensed gambling.

Since the ATG made use of its legal right to engage in gambling services that would better its bottom line as a company it could be argued that Svenska Spel is simply following suit, especially in light of the fact that ATG cannot offer international betting on horses.

Svenska Spel Racing manager, Helena Hallman, said:

“What we have been missing is a high-profit bet on the horses that we now get through the collaboration with PMU. This is something our customers have asked for, which we are now happy to be able to offer them.”

Hopefully, those high-profit bets are paying off for Svenska Spel as ATG is seeking damages to the tune of one million kroner for both the intentional use of a registered trademark and damage to its brand. The suit also asks that Svenska Spel be served an immediate cease and desist order.