Detailed information on the contractual connections between the state-owned Slovak lottery, Tipos, and the Cyprus-based Lemikon company could bring a breakthrough in the case, the Sme daily wrote on June 20. The court case started in 1990’s when Tipos allegedly used the logo and know-how of the then Czech lottery company Športka without paying.
Last year the Slovak Supreme ordered Tipos to pay more than €14 million but only for the unauthorised use of brands. Now, the part concerning know-how has been returned to a lower court, the Regional Court in Bratislava – because of recently uncovered contractual connections between Tipos and Športka.
According to Sme, Tipos had paid a large amount to Športka for the use of its know-how and there are contracts to prove this. From 1993 to 1995, when the contracts’ validity expired, Tipos had paid almost 286 million Slovak crowns. In 2000, when Športka sued Tipos it required Tipos to pay Sk265 million more for alleged unauthorised use of know-how.
Lemikon subsequently purchased Športka’s claims. Lemikon’s attorney, Tomáš Rybář, “theoretically” admitted to Sme that the newly published facts could change the core of the lawsuit and its course. To learn more about the complex case, please read Court approves halt in Tipos restructuring and Lottery saga continues .
Source: Sme
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
