FlowPlay gains access to IGT patents with cross-licence deal

International Game Technology has signed a patent cross-licence agreement with community-based online social game developer FlowPlay Inc.

The gaming operator and manufacturer will allow FlowPlay to access its slot game feature patent portfolio, currently the largest in North America, in order to develop proprietary titles as part of an exclusive licensing arrangement.

“We are excited to expand our game feature patent licensing efforts to online social casino game development with FlowPlay,” said IGT CEO North America Renato Ascoli.

“FlowPlay offers more than 45 different casino-style games already, and this agreement helps to ensure that even more of the authenticity and excitement of land-based casino gaming extends to players in the online social space.”

FlowPlay pay ongoing licensing fees to IGT as part of the partnership, however the financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.

“We are excited to become a member of the game features patent pool managed by IGT,” said Derrick Morton, FlowPlay CEO. “[It] provides us with a phenomenal selection of patents that we can leverage to expand our scope of development.”

“Licensing these game features patents will help FlowPlay build on our legacy of success offering massively multiplayer online games and free-to-play social casino titles such as Vegas World.”