We are the champions: Electrocoin urges market to choose original Football Champ at IAAPA Europe as patent infringement case proceeds in Chinese legal system
With legal proceedings pending in China, Electrocoin prepares for the short journey across London to IAAPA Europe 2026 in a fortnight’s time with an important message: protect the industry’s lifeline of authentic products, authorised supply and respect for intellectual property.
Ahead of the eagerly anticipated IAAPA Expo, Electrocoin is encouraging operators and distributors to verify the origin of football arcade machines before making purchase decisions at the London event, and in the case of its own portfolio, to choose the original market leading arcade game Football Champ.
Developed in collaboration with Sunflower Amusement Equipment, Football Champ has become one of Electrocoin’s most successful products of the year, attracting strong interest
during the World Cup. Electrocoin holds the exclusive distribution rights for the game throughout the UK and Europe.
Football Champ has been a hit on the European expo tour this past year scoring significant wins at EAG, ICE, ACOS, IAAPA Barcelona, AmEx Dublin and at numerous other expos on the Eurocalendar.
But a suspected patent infringement was first identified in China this May, when a product described by Electrocoin as identical apart from its colour scheme and name, was displayed at the World Cultural & Tourism Expo. Sunflower has since initiated patent infringement
proceedings in China. The case remains pending, and no final determination has been made.
For Electrocoin, its priority is clear: to help customers make informed purchasing decisions and avoid confusion between the original Football Champ and similar looking alternatives.
John Stergides Snr, Managing Director of Electrocoin, said: “We are delighted with the response to Football Champ and grateful for our customers’ support. We want buyers to be confident that they are purchasing the original product developed with Sunflower, through an authorised supplier, with clear arrangements for warranty, spare parts and aftersales support.”
And the company has been forthright in signalling its concerns, highlighting IAAPA’s Intellectual Property Policy and Procedures which states that companies purchasing exhibition space, advertising or sponsorship through IAAPA must own or have rights to the products, content and materials displayed, and applies within IAAPA operated activities.
Stergides explained: “On many occasions, we have witnessed machines being removed from exhibition floors following intellectual property infringement complaints. We welcome IAAPA’s published policy and look to its procedures to provide a fair and effective framework for addressing such concerns. Protecting original products supports the manufacturers who invest in them and the customers who buy them.”
He added: “IAAPA Expo Europe coming to London is an exciting opportunity for our industry. We look forward to a successful show that celebrates innovation, supports legitimate businesses and gives buyers confidence in the products on offer."
Meanwhile, back at Electrocoin HQ, Football Champ is being packed up for another ExCeL outing with the company advising customers considering Football Champ or a similar-looking machine to contact them before placing an order to confirm product authenticity and authorised supply in the UK and Europe.
“A similar appearance should not be taken as confirmation of equivalent quality, performance or support,” John Stergides Snr advised."