DOW JONES NEWSWIRES International Game Technology (IGT) said a federal judge has approved its request to toss a patent-infringement lawsuit filed against it by Australia's Aristocrat Leisure Ltd. (ALL.AU). Aristocrat Technologies had alleged International Game's Fort Knox, Jackpot Hunter, Party Time!, and Wheelionaire games infringed on patents. That suit was filed in California in 2006. IGT is currently opposing a separate patent allegation by Aristocrat. The gambling-equipment maker's fortunes have improved of late following a sharp downturn in gambling during the recession. Its latest-quarter profit rose despite charges from the closure of its Japan business, which it announced in February. International Game's shares were recently up 0.93% at $19.49. -By Matt Jarzemsky; Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2240, matthew.jarzemsky@dowjones.com
