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STERN PINBALL, INC.Memo from Gary Stern
It has been reported by a pinball
enthusiasts' publication that WMS has sold and/or licensed some of its assets
formerly used in its pinball business to an Australian game distributor, Wayne
Gillard. We have not verified this report. Mr. Gillard has been attempting to
design a pinball machine for about a year.
We believe that the assets transferred
include:
. Certain copyrights and trademarks,
including old WMS game designs and names to the extent that the titles and art
are not licensed from others;
. Pinball patents that have not yet
expired (U.S. patent laws require the owner to pay substantial maintenance
fees); and
. Some information regarding WMS
parts.
It was also reported that Mr. Gillard
acquired a right to use the Bally name. We question the extent, if any, and the
duration, of the right Mr. Gillard has received.
We believe that inventory, tooling and
Williams' name are not included in the assets transferred or licensed.
Existence, ownership and location of the tooling is questionable.
It is unclear whether Mr. Gillard now
intends to remake old WMS games and/or manufacture original designs. We believe
that the design and manufacture of hybrid video pinball games would be no more
financially viable for Mr. Gillard than it was for WMS.
We believe the assets included in the
transaction would not have added to our business if we had acquired them, nor do
they detract from our business in the hands of others. Stern Pinball has all
tooling, intellectual property rights and other elements necessary for our
business. We continue to have games designed by the best designers of the
pinball industry. Our service and parts departments are second to none,
supporting the games we have manufactured. We will continue to develop new and
exciting products as we have for nearly 20 years.
Should you have questions, please contact
me.
Best regards,
Gary
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