Ty Inc. hit the Tropicana's operator, Aztar Corp., with a copyright infringement lawsuit in Las Vegas federal court Wednesday. Ty demanded all profits Tropicana has derived from the slot promotion, plus an unspecified amount of damages.

At issue are the ``Beanie Babies Giveaway Slots,'' a promotion that gives away the toys in exchange for slot play. Mixing its product with slots, Ty claims, ``has tarnished or is likely to tarnish (Ty's) famous trademarks.''

A spokesman for Aztar did not return a message seeking comment Friday.

Photo exhibits included with the Ty lawsuit show a colorful sign over a bank of slots with depictions of four Beanie Babies and Ty's heart trademark.

The signs also include disclaimers: ``The Tropicana Hotel-Casino is not affiliated with Ty Corp.'' and ``Ty and Beanie Babies are trademarks of Ty Inc.''

Ty said that it wasn't asked for permission to run the promotion, but that anyone looking at the billboard would assume it had Ty's blessing.

[Posted 5/08/2000]