Canadian Glen Chorny was the chip leader going in to and coming out of the final day of play at the PokerStars.com European Poker Tour Grand Final in Monte Carlo. Chorny won an astounding $3,198,500 after eliminating Denes Kalo...
WPT settles lawsuit with players
The pro poker players questioned the World Poker Tour's standard player's release and contracts with casinos in their lawsuit. They claimed that the releases and contracts violate federal and state antitrust laws.
According to the players' lawsuit, they had to waive rights to use their images and names to promote products and video games before they were allowed to enter a WPT tournament.
In one example, video clips of Howard Lederer playing in a WPT tournament were used in a WPT video game that directly competes with another video game, World Championship Poker, that he and his sister Annie Duke appear in.
The WPTE has denied that its casino contracts, releases or other activities violate any laws, and continues to maintain that it didn't have any liability or wrongdoing in the matter.
However, it wanted to settle its differences with the players so that the WPT can focus on its continued growth rather than litigation.
No monetary compensation was awarded in the settlement, but the WPTE and the poker players agreed to implement a new standard form release that will be provided to all players at all WPT tournaments and events going forward.
"We are glad to put this dispute behind us, and we look forward to working with all players to grow the sport of poker," said Steve Lipscomb, WPTE founder and CEO.
"We are happy to have come to an agreement that is fair to all players, and to have put in place a new release that clears up ambiguities in how players' images may be used," said Chris Ferguson.
"We are especially happy that this new release will apply to all poker players who wish to participate in WPT tournaments and events. WPTE has created some of the best poker events in the world, and we are excited to participate in them once again."
Greg Raymer and Joe Hachem had also been a part of the original lawsuit, but were no longer participating in the action.
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