If you watch poker on TV you’ve likely heard of the World Poker Tour. The World Poker Tour is run by a company called World Poker Tour Enterprises (WPTE). What you may not know is that the WPTE is being sued by Chris Ferguson, Andy Bloch, Annie Duke, Phil Gordon, Joe Hachem, Howard Lederer and Greg Raymer.

The above seven players are suing the WPTE for numerous reasons, the biggest being allegations of antitrust violations and intellectual property rights. The players claim that the WPTE and casinos have entered into agreements that limit the number of tournaments that could be on TV. The casinos by hosting a World Poker Tour event are not allowed to host any other televised tournament. The players also claim that they have to sign releases to play in the World Poker Tour. The release would give WPTE the right to use a player’s image in anyway they see fit, whether it be promotional material or video games.

The WPTE filed their response to the lawsuit and it is their belief poker is better than it ever was because of what they have done to promote it. The WPTE does not believe there is any antitrust issue because antitrust goes to competition. There is no issue with competition because the World Poker Tour has created so many more tournaments with large prize pools. The WPTE did not really address the intellectual property rights issue. WPTE only said that the releases the players signed are standard in the industry.

The lawsuit by the pros was filed on July 19, 2006 and as of today there has not been a resolution. The players filed a motion for summary judgment on May 14, 2007. The player’s main concern is that the WPTE forces players to sign waivers so that they may use any footage or their name to market their own product. The pros do not want the WPTE to force players to sign waivers and prevent casinos from hosting non World Poker Tour poker tournaments.

No one is certain what will happen with this lawsuit, but now that you have some information about what both sides want you’ll be able to form your own opinion. Until there is a ruling don’t expect to see any of those pro’s playing in a WPT event.