By Shirley Pulis Xerxen | Translated by Siyu He | Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Tags: SPRIBE, UK, Intellectual Property, Gaming Industry, Aviator, Court Injunction, Trademark Dispute, IP Protection
Breaking News: UK High Court Grants Injunction to SPRIBE
On August 1, 2025, SPRIBE secured a major legal victory from the UK High Court, obtaining an interim injunction to prevent Georgia-based Aviator LLC from publishing or promoting its imitation mini-game in the UK.
The ruling represents a decisive win for SPRIBE, the pioneer developer behind one of the most successful crash-style mini-games worldwide. In its official press release, SPRIBE stated that the order was granted “to protect SPRIBE’s award-winning Aviator game”, underlining the court’s recognition of the game’s innovative contribution to the gaming industry.
“Childish” and “Capricious” Conduct
According to the press release, Aviator LLC submitted contradictory evidence during proceedings and other stages of the dispute. In court, Aviator LLC allegedly attempted to evade responsibility by setting up a shifting network of licensing entities to confuse its role, misleading the UK court, denying previous statements about entering the UK market, and refusing to provide key evidence.
These actions led the court to describe Aviator LLC’s behavior as “childish” and “capricious.”
The injunction confirms SPRIBE’s intellectual property rights in the UK, specifically safeguarding the Aviator game—a flagship multiplayer product with over 42 million monthly players globally. Aviator has become synonymous with crash-style mini-games, enabling SPRIBE to secure partnerships with major entertainment brands including UFC, WWE, and AC Milan.
Founder’s Statement
SPRIBE founder David Natroshvili commented:
“I am delighted that the respected UK court has supported our position and issued an injunction preventing Aviator LLC from launching and promoting its imitation game. SPRIBE developed the Aviator mini-game in 2018 and is its sole owner globally. We will continue to take all necessary measures worldwide to protect SPRIBE, our partners, and our players from any third-party infringement.”
A Series of Malicious Acts
The press release further alleged that Aviator LLC’s actions are part of a broader campaign by Georgian businessman Temur Ugulava to profit from SPRIBE’s commercial success and international reputation.
- Aviator LLC previously filed unfounded legal claims in Georgia, seeking to seize rights to the Aviator brand and logo within the country.
- SPRIBE claims the Georgian court’s flawed ruling was the result of a rushed and procedurally deficient process in a judicial system where independence and transparency have been widely questioned.
- SPRIBE stressed that these claims related only to the use of certain branding within Georgia and did not concern ownership of the Aviator game itself.
- SPRIBE’s trademarks remain valid and protected outside Georgia, including in the EU and UK.
The company also accused Aviator LLC and affiliates (such as Aviator Studio Group or AviGroup) of misleading SPRIBE’s clients, falsely claiming IP ownership of the Aviator game while promoting a counterfeit version. SPRIBE reiterated that all features, branding, and IP rights for Aviator are solely developed and owned by SPRIBE.
Furthermore, SPRIBE claims Aviator LLC has attempted to leverage the flawed Georgian ruling to launch baseless legal proceedings in other jurisdictions—moves SPRIBE says it will vigorously oppose.
Significance for Global IP Enforcement
The injunction reflects the UK’s commitment to protecting legitimate IP rights and highlights growing judicial awareness of bad-faith trademark registrations. For SPRIBE, this is a strategic milestone in its global IP protection efforts, likely boosting investor confidence and supporting expansion into jurisdictions with strict IP enforcement.
The court’s swift grant of interim relief demonstrates the effectiveness of the UK’s IP system in protecting commercial interests, potentially encouraging other jurisdictions to adopt similar approaches. This outcome also reinforces the UK’s broader post-Brexit commitment to innovation-driven industries.
Ongoing Legal Battles
The UK decision strengthens SPRIBE’s position in ongoing international disputes, including proceedings before the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), where Aviator LLC has filed for invalidation of SPRIBE’s EU trademarks. The EU outcome may test whether the UK ruling will influence continental courts, or if differing legal traditions will produce divergent results.
From a long-term perspective, this case marks a turning point for game IP protection. Should this trend continue, global developers may become more willing to unite against infringement.
