Ravensburger Responds to Upper Deck Lawsuit Over Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game
Ravensburger, the publisher of the highly-anticipated Disney Lorcana trading card game, has issued a formal response to a lawsuit filed by competitor Upper Deck. In a news release on Thursday, Ravensburger demanded the dismissal of Upper Deck’s lawsuit, referring to it as “the legal equivalent of alchemy.” The response includes a comprehensive 34-page legal document and highlights the involvement of Brian Lewis, an esteemed legal mind in the TCG industry.
Upper Deck Lawsuit Overview
The lawsuit from Upper Deck made headlines on June 7 when it accused Disney Lorcana co-designer Ryan Miller of creating a “nearly identical” game while under contract with Upper Deck. Upper Deck seeks an injunction to halt the scheduled August launch of Disney Lorcana, asserting claims of intellectual property infringement.
Ravensburger’s Firm Denial
Ravensburger vehemently disputes Upper Deck’s allegations and raises concerns about the timing and jurisdiction of the lawsuit. Their response characterizes Upper Deck’s attempt to develop a competing TCG as lazy and opportunistic legal maneuvering.
“Upper Deck claims it would have sought the return of confidential information and/or prevented its employees from communicating with Mr. Miller if it was aware of Mr. Miller’s employment at Ravensburger and the company’s work on a competing TCG,” reads Ravensburger’s motion to dismiss. “But Upper Deck was aware of Mr. Miller’s employment with Ravensburger and work on Lorcana when the game was announced in September 2022. And despite that awareness, Upper Deck did nothing. Upper Deck cannot now lament that it was damaged by its own inaction.”
Legal Implications and the Role of Brian Lewis
This complex legal battle involves considerations of work-for-hire agreements and non-compete clauses. Notably, Ravensburger has enlisted the expertise of Brian Lewis, who served as the general counsel at Wizards of the Coast during the 1990s and early 2000s. Lewis played a pivotal role in securing the initial patents that protected Magic: The Gathering, which established the legal foundation for trading card games worldwide.
Statement from Brian Lewis
“Ravensburger has an extremely strong case here,” said Lewis. “We hope it will be dismissed outright based on today’s motion. While we respect the valid intellectual property rights of others, this appears to be more of a PR stunt than a genuine legal dispute. I also want to add that I’ve had the great fortune to know Ryan Miller personally for over 20 years and consider him to be a person of the highest ethical standards.”
Confidence in the Legal Process
Lisa Krueger, senior communications director for Ravensburger North America, expressed confidence in their position and the ongoing legal process. Krueger emphasized that their team remains focused on the upcoming launch of Disney Lorcana and eagerly awaits the opportunity to interact with fans at Gen Con.
Additional Resources
For a comprehensive interview with Brian Lewis, providing insights into his extensive work in the TCG industry spanning over three decades, The Booster Pack Network offers a 95-minute in-depth discussion conducted in January.