Legal Battle Intensifies Over Alleged Game Clone
Sony Interactive Entertainment has launched a forceful counterattack against Tencent’s attempt to dismiss the copyright infringement lawsuit over Light of Motiram, with court documents obtained by The Game Post revealing Sony’s characterization of Tencent’s defense as “nonsense.” According to reports, the legal confrontation centers around allegations that Tencent’s upcoming game constitutes a “slavish clone” of Sony’s successful Horizon series developed by Guerrilla Games.
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Sony Dismisses Tencent’s Defense Arguments
In newly filed legal documents, Sony directly challenged Tencent’s claim that the lawsuit was premature because the Chinese gaming giant had allegedly delayed Light of Motiram’s release until 2027. Sources indicate that Sony argued “the damage is done, and it continues” despite any purported release delay. The filing reportedly states that Tencent continued promoting the allegedly infringing game despite public confusion and outrage, remaining “undeterred” by Sony Interactive Entertainment’s objections.
Corporate Structure Dispute Complicates Case
The legal battle has expanded to include disputes over corporate responsibility, with Sony alleging that Tencent attempted to “avoid liability by playing a shell game with its brands and entities.” According to the analysis presented in court documents, Sony maintains that Tencent Holdings should be the proper defendant since it owns the intellectual property, U.S. trademark, and official website for Light of Motiram. The report states that Sony argues Tencent Holdings controls its gaming subsidiaries and reports all gaming revenue without attribution to specific subsidiaries in its annual reports.
Character Similarities Central to Infringement Claims
Beyond general gameplay similarities, Sony’s filing emphasizes what it characterizes as trademark infringement concerning the protagonist character. Analysts suggest the red-haired heroine in Light of Motiram bears striking resemblance to Aloy from the Horizon series, with Sony claiming the similarity was “so egregious that numerous journalists and Horizon fans noted the striking similarities.” The company reportedly quoted one journalist who stated they would “easily believe” the game was a Horizon spin-off if told so, highlighting what Sony describes as significant consumer confusion.
Legal Precedent and Next Steps
Sony is now seeking to advance the case directly into the discovery phase, where analysts suggest the company hopes to uncover evidence supporting its copyright infringement claims through examination of Tencent’s internal documents. This case is being closely watched as it could establish important precedents for future video game clone litigation. The outcome may influence how courts handle similar disputes in the rapidly evolving gaming industry, where intellectual property protection remains a complex challenge.
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Broader Industry Context
This lawsuit emerges alongside other significant legal battles in the gaming sector, including disputes covered by various industry sources. Recent reports from technology news outlets and coverage of industry developments indicate growing legal tensions in the technology and gaming spaces. Additional coverage of competing technologies from industry analysts, platform updates, and AI advancements suggests the Sony-Tencent case reflects broader patterns of intellectual property disputes in the technology sector.
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