Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

In a landmark ruling, the Dubai Court of Cassation has rejected a $100 million claim made by a Dubai-based publisher against a leading American video game company. The ruling, which caps off a seven-year legal battle, also mandates that the publisher pay Dh18.7 million to the game developer for breaching copyright agreements related to a popular video game. The case, which first began in 2018, centered around intellectual property rights concerning the video game and its updates. The publisher argued that the American company wrongfully terminated their contract, leading to significant financial losses. However, the Dubai court sided with the American firm, affirming its intellectual property rights over the game and ruling that the publisher’s claims were without merit. Both the Dubai Court of First Instance and the Court of Appeal had previously ruled in favor of the American company, following the evaluation of two expert committees. The publisher subsequently appealed the decision, but the Court of Cassation upheld the earlier rulings. OGH Law Firm, which represented the American company, hailed the ruling as a victory for intellectual property rights and a strong affirmation of the UAE's legal system. "This case sends a clear message that the UAE is committed to protecting creators and innovators, ensuring that intellectual property laws are enforced to the highest standard," said Sherif Hikal, an attorney from OGH Law Firm. The final ruling serves as a precedent for future intellectual property cases in the UAE and highlights the country’s role as a leading jurisdiction for resolving complex legal disputes, particularly those involving multiple jurisdictions and advanced technology. ICA/Expat Media
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