Empire Poker to sue Party Gaming

[Larimani]

LONDON (Reuters) - Online gaming firm Empire Online (EOL.L: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Monday that talks following an approach by larger rival PartyGaming (PRTY.L: Quote, Profile, Research) had broken down and it was planning to taking legal action against PartyGaming.

"The directors of Empire Online have explored whether legal action might be taken by Empire Online in relation to damage caused to it by the conduct of companies within the PartyGaming group in separating the poker system used by PartyGaming players from that of its "skins"," Empire said in a statement.

"Having received legal advice, the directors intend to institute and vigorously pursue legal proceedings as soon as possible," it added.

Skins are online poker Web sites, like Empire, that drive their poker players through to a software platform operated by another poker site like PartyGaming.

[imported_leader]

I hope they win.

[Freudian]

The empire strikes back.

[Gramps]

I'm sure Party knew this was coming when they made the move, and calculated that it was likely more than worth the $$. This thing could get dragged out for years and years, Empire could still get a big settlement or award, and it will still have been a very +$EV move on Party's part.

Thanks for helping protect our market share from startups and helping to recruit our player base, now we'll start collecting all of the rake revenues ourselves, but do it in a manner where we can argue we're holidng up our end of the bargain contractually (providng Empire "a" platform, just not a shared platform with Party's players), giving you a little less leverage contractually, and facing the prospect of having to spend millions and millions (or at least your attorneys on contingency) in order to fight this and have a shot at winning (and maybe still not being "made whole" if you win).

Meanwhile, Party is raking it in (yes, pun). Come and get us, we'll be counting our $$ while waiting for you guys.

so will this mean anything for the players any time soon?

[imported_leader]

[ QUOTE ]
so will this mean anything for the players any time soon?

[/ QUOTE ]
This will likely never mean anything for the players except maybe a little gratification if Party losses.

[Baulucky]

EOL.L (http://finance.yahoo.com/q/bc?s=EOL.L&t=3m)

PRTY.L (http://finance.yahoo.com/q/bc?s=PRTY.L&t=5d)

Markets don't like courts.

"The Reverse Midas Touch: How I turned gold into excrement in 6 months" by Dikshit is sure to be a best seller and a study case in business schools.

The only people hurting from the drop in share price are those that actually bought shares at a higher price.

[William]

Great, last desperate move from the sinking ship.

Empire
RIP (died slowly and painfully)

[danzasmack]

After the whole pokershare things, I'm nervous that one day I'm gonna log into empire and my bankroll will be gone.

Does anyone see this as a possibility?

[RikaKazak]

GO EMPIRE GO!!!!!!!!!!!!

DIE PARTY DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm saying this as I 4 table NL 400 6 max on pp, LOL!!!!!!!!

[ QUOTE ]
so will this mean anything for the players any time soon?

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe Party will increase the rake again to pay for the cost of litigation. That'd be something to Enjoy!

[tonypaladino]

I love the fact that "Enjoy!" is the party catchphrase on 2+2 now even though the Pokerstars rep did it first, and then Mike O. followed up with it.

[ QUOTE ]
I love the fact that "Enjoy!" is the party catchphrase on 2+2 now even though the Pokerstars rep did it first, and then Mike O. followed up with it.

[/ QUOTE ]

But Mike elevated it to a new level. Right in amongst all the confusion. No one knowing what happened. Everyone wanting answers. A lot of people even posting to be calm as it was just taking a few hours for the servers to rejoin together.

Then he starts a new thread with only one word of content.

Classic!

[CORed]

[ QUOTE ]
so will this mean anything for the players any time soon?

[/ QUOTE ]

Higher rake to pay attorney's fees and cost of settlement or judgement (if any).

[BottlesOf]

W00000000t! I don't think this will go anywhere, but here's to hoping against hope.