Entain's subsidiary Sportingbet has filed a lawsuit in the Civil Court of Malta, demanding that Bulgarian online gambling operator Sportingwin cease operations under what it considers an infringing trademark.
Sportingbet applied for an EU trademark in 2017, while Sportingwin registered its name as a trademark in 2020.
Both brands operate in different markets, but last year in the Czech Republic, Entain filed a lawsuit claiming that Sportingwin's trademark was "visually identical" to its own. Entain lost the case, but is now suing again in Malta.
The lawsuit states that Entain aims to protect its brand from being "obscured and prejudiced." However, the court overturned the preliminary approval for Entain's request. Sportingwin has filed a lawsuit seeking compensation due to the temporary measures. The case is scheduled for court in October.
Entain's Sportingbet is one of six operators that applied for an online gambling license ahead of the opening of the regulated market in Brazil, which is expected to open in January 2025.
