To address a concerning increase of piracy in the gaming industry, the major players of the industry have come together to form a Gaming Industry Piracy Alliance (GIPA), providing a structure through which members can jointly participate in the enforcement of intellectual property rights and other antipiracy activities and initiatives.

Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd, WMS Gaming Inc, International Game Technology, Austrian Gaming Industries GmbH a 100% subsidiary of Novomatic AG, Bally Technologies Inc, Konami Gaming Inc, Spielo Manufacturing ULC, Progressive Gaming International Corporation and Atronic International have now joined forces to carry out investigative and other operations targeting piracy on an international scale.

The regions that this group’s anti piracy efforts are targeting include North America, South America, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe (CEE Countries) and the Middle East. ”GIPA members expend significant resources in creating intellectual property. The formation of GIPA demonstrates the importance we place on protecting those valuable assets,” commented Orrin Edidin, President of WMS Gaming Inc.

Over the last two years, members of the alliance have successfully commenced criminal and civil proceedings in various countries worldwide against persons known or suspected of product piracy and intellectual property theft.

These proceedings have resulted in court orders and raids that have permanently shut down a number of international pirate operations. With the formation of this anti piracy alliance, the global gaming industry will be able to aggressively act against offenders.