Everest lawsuit versus Harrahs

As some of the best poker players in the world continue playing in this year’s World Series of Poker, Harrah’s is being sued by a poker company for trademark infringement.

Everest Poker filed suit against Harrah’s last week, arguing that the company violated Everest’s right to claim part sponsorship of the World Series of Poker in 2008 and 2009.

According to the suit filed by Everest’s parent company, Ultra Internet Media, Harrah’s violated a sponsorship agreement it had with Everest Poker during the 2008 and 2009 WSOP tournaments. The three-year sponsorship agreement requires Everest Poker to pay $6.2 million in 2008, $7.9 million in 2009 and $8.4 million in 2010. According to the suit, the site paid the 2008 and 2009 sponsorship fees, but refuses to pay for this year’s tournament.

Everest says that during coverage by the French ESPN channel RTL9, its image was covered electronically by the image for a competing poker company, though Everest’s contract specifically states that its logo would be shown in specific places.

This year, the suit charges, Harrah’s is continuing the use the company’s logo and banners, which Everest says is being done in order to force Everest to pay for the sponsorship even thought the company says it has pulled out due to the misuse of its sponsorship the past two years.

Harrah’s hasn’t responded to the lawsuit as yet; it’s the company’s policy not to comment on pending litigation.