Panda Interactive files additional complaints against Sportradar and Genius Sports
In October 2023, Panda Interactive filed two lawsuits in the Texas Eastern District Court accusing Sportradar and Genius Sports of patent infringement. It initially claimed the two companies had “wilfully” infringed Panda’s low latency, interactive sports streaming and betting technology patents.
The operator said it had developed a number of patents within the streaming and live sports data verticals, including technology that allows players to view live odds and place bets while watching sports.
Panda’s previous filings also alleged that large swaths of the sports technology suppliers’ businesses were using Panda’s patents. These include Genius’ LiveData, LiveTrading, Genius Trading, BetVision and in-Play Multibet products.
Sportradar had also been accused of infringing Panda Interactive patents in its video streaming products. These consist of its Sportradar emBet, Sportradar OTT and Sportradar Live Channel Trading brands.
In a statement released today (3 March), Panda Interactive said it had amended its complaints to suggest that the two parties had blocked new competitors in the market. It also suggested the two parties had “coerced” sportsbooks into using their technology as a condition to accessing real-time sports data via their exclusive partnerships with major sports leagues.
It is seeking a court order against Genus Sports and Sportradar to stop them from continuing the alleged anti-competitive conduct.
Panda Interactive legal action
Commenting on the case, Donald Schupak, Panda Interactive’s chairman, said: “The defendants’ bullying takes bad behaviour to new heights – illegally using our own patented technology against us by packaging it with their platform, tying it to their exclusive data and effectively shutting the door to fair competition.”
Meanwhile Panda CEO Kevin April said the suit was a necessary response to the two parties’ conduct.
“Many in the industry have raised concerns about how Genius Sports and Sportradar operate and their strong-arm tactics have coerced the market at the expense of all layers of sport,” April said.
Sportradar has refused to comment on the case. In a statement emailed to iGB, a spokesperson for the company said: “Like most commercial enterprises, we do not comment on pending litigation matters – even unfounded litigation.
“That said, we can assure you that we operate our business in compliance with existing laws and regulations. We are confident in our defence of this matter and intend to defend these allegations vigorously.”
Panda Interactive is represented in the lawsuit by the US legal firm King & Spalding.