A Brazilian federal court has landed another major blow to Spribe in its ongoing trademark battle with Aviator Studio, suspending the Russian developer’s ability to enforce its local trademark registration while the larger dispute unfolds. The 18th Federal Civil Court of the Federal District’s decision effectively strips Spribe of exclusivity over the “Aviator” brand in Brazil, one of Latin America’s most lucrative gambling markets.

The Georgia Factor

What stands out here is how heavily the Brazilian judges leaned on earlier rulings from Georgia, where courts have already invalidated Spribe’s trademark claims and recognised Aviator Studio’s rights. That precedent clearly carried weight, pointing toward a consistent narrative starting to form: Aviator Studio’s claim is older. Stronger too.

Aviator Studio registered the brand in Georgia back in 2018, with roots tracing to 2016. Spribe’s timeline doesn’t hold up against that, according to the Brazilian court, which found enough grounds to challenge Spribe’s ownership position. Once multiple jurisdictions start reaching the same conclusion, it suggests real weakness in the challenger’s case.

Practical Relief for Partners

The suspension matters for day-to-day operations. Spribe had been aggressively firing off legal notices to operators and partners, demanding they drop the Aviator name. That enforcement machinery is now significantly hampered in Brazil, at least until a final ruling comes down. For brands and operators relying on Aviator as a product name, this strips away a chunk of legal uncertainty that’s been weighing on the market.

Aviator Studio has notched up meaningful victories elsewhere too. A 2024 decision slapped financial penalties on Spribe and knocked portions of its trademark portfolio out entirely. The momentum is building, though to be fair, the fight remains genuinely international and genuinely contested.

Still Unresolved

The UK courts have taken a more cautious stance, rejecting Aviator Studio’s attempts to fast-track proceedings. British judges flagged contested factual questions and foreign law complexities, particularly the Georgian rulings, as reasons this doesn’t suit expedited handling. Fair point. When ownership disputes span multiple jurisdictions with different legal frameworks, no single courtroom can solve it.

Brazil’s decision is strategically valuable, but the broader war is nowhere near finished. European cases remain active. The international legal landscape is fragmented enough that Spribe could still find sympathetic venues elsewhere.

For now, though, Aviator Studio has secured a genuinely valuable foothold in Brazil. The suspension gives the company breathing room in a crucial market and adds another data point to a pattern that’s becoming harder to ignore across jurisdictions.