Sportradar, Genius Sports Sued by SportsCastr for Patent Infringement

Posted on: October 12, 2023, 03:10h. 

Last updated on: October 12, 2023, 12:44h.

In a legal showdown that has the sports technology and betting industries watching closely, SportsCastr (also known as Panda Interactive) is garnering a significant amount of attention. The sports technology company has filed lawsuits against industry giants Sportradar and Genius Sports in Texas, alleging patent infringement of its interactive streaming solution.

At the heart of the dispute lies SportsCastr’s proprietary cloud-based software, which enables real-time interactive viewing experiences for sports enthusiasts. The lawsuits contend that Sportradar and Genius Sports, which have had their own legal battles, have encroached upon SportsCastr’s patented technology.

As outlined in a press release this week, SportsCastr believes the companies are taking advantage of its software. The cases are now being worked into the calendar in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

We Were Here First

The crux of the matter lies in SportsCastr’s proprietary cloud-based software. At its core, the technology empowers sportsbooks, sports leagues, and the media to provide viewers with immersive and interactive features.

The confluence of media and sports betting is essential to the future of the fan-viewing experience,” said Panda Interactive CEO Kevin April. “Panda developed its pioneering technology long before online sports betting was even legal in the US. Sportradar and Genius Sports are infringing on our patents and capitalizing on our groundbreaking work.”

One of Panda’s standout features includes real-time odds displayed during live sporting events. This is coupled with the unprecedented capability for viewers to place bets seamlessly while watching the action unfold.

The lawsuits claim that Sportradar and Genius Sports have willfully infringed on the company’s patents by incorporating similar interactive streaming capabilities into their own platforms. Panda Interactive’s Chairman Donald Schupak added that the company had made “substantial investments” in the development of its technology, and that “no one wants to see their own arsenal used against them in battle.”

The Intricacies of Patent Law

SportsCastr has garnered recognition for its forward-thinking approach to sports streaming. The company’s technology seamlessly integrates interactive elements, transforming passive viewers into active participants in the sports-watching experience.

The case raises questions about the boundaries of intellectual property (IP) rights in the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of sports innovation. For SportsCastr, it represents a pivotal moment in safeguarding its technological advancements. At the same time, for Sportradar and Genius Sports, it signals a formidable challenge in defending their positions in a competitive market.

One of the key elements of the case will be the companies’ formations. Sportscastr, on its Panda Interactive website, states that the company launched in 2016. Sportradar, on the other hand, was founded in Norway in 2001.

Genius Sports began in 2016, but its history goes back further. The company was formed by the merger between Betgenius and SportingPulse International, which were founded in 2000 and 1991, respectively.

The outcome of these lawsuits has the potential to reshape the betting and sports-viewing industries. It could influence how companies navigate the balance between innovation and IP rights in the pursuit of captivating sports enthusiasts.