UK High Court limits Aviator rollouts in three markets

The High Court of England imposed on 6 November 2026 interim restrictions on the expansion of the Aviator crash game operated by Aviator LLC in three countries, in the ongoing litigation with Spribe. The interim ruling bars new launches under the disputed mark in Colombia, Romania and Serbia, permits Aviator LLC to continue supplying existing partners that were live before a threshold date, and brings the main trial forward to October 2027.

Scope of the interim order

Mr Justice Tappin made an order prohibiting the launching of the game using the disputed brand and aviation iconography on new platforms within Colombia, Rumanía y Serbia. Operators who were offering the game prior to 3 de julio de 2026 may continue to do so, and Aviator LLC and its affiliated companies remain authorised to supply those existing partners.

Expansion and refusal of jurisdictions

The Court authorised Spribe to expand its counterclaims for passing off or unfair competition and certain copyright infringement claims in nueve additional markets: Canadá, Colombia, Ghana, Italia, Kenia, México, Rumanía, Serbia y Sudáfrica. The Court refused Spribe’s request to add a further 28 countries, finding insufficient evidence for the allegations as to those territories.

Canada and Italy have separate undertakings: Aviator LLC offered an undertaking to provide 28 días notice before any launch and targeted promotion in those countries. For the other relevant territories the Court endorsed the idea of at least dos semanas prior notice of planned launches so that Spribe may seek additional protection.

Positions of the parties and evidence

Spribe argued that the rival game’s name, aircraft imagery and the overall trade mark create a risk of consumer confusion in markets where its Aviator game operates. Aviator LLC and its affiliates challenged the evidence produced and questioned whether foreign issues should be litigated in the English jurisdiction.

"We are grateful that the High Court of the United Kingdom has given a judgment that affords Spribe greater protection, recognising the likely confusion caused by the copycat game," said David Natroshvili, CEO of Spribe. "We have invested years building the Aviator brand and earning players’ trust worldwide. We will do our utmost to continue protecting our game, our brand and our players from attempts at imitation."

The judge considered it more efficient to deal with the claims relating to the nine jurisdictions within the existing English proceedings than to allow separate actions in each country. Although the interim order limits new launches, it does not finally determine the merits of the dispute.

Case timetable

The main trial has been rescheduled for octubre de 2027, several months earlier than the date originally expected in early 2028. A preliminary hearing is fixed for abril de 2027 to determine whether prior judgments in Georgia bar re‑litigation of certain matters in England.