Tencent accused of imitation: Sony files lawsuit against Tencent concerning Horizon clone issue.
Sony Sues Tencent Over Alleged Imitation of Horizon Franchise
In a significant turn of events, Sony has filed a copyright and trademark infringement lawsuit against Tencent over the latter's upcoming mobile game, "Light of Motiram." The suit alleges that Tencent's game, set to release on various platforms, copies Sony's popular Horizon series in a manner that could confuse consumers about the origin and licensing of the intellectual property.
The lawsuit, filed on July 25, 2023, in the Northern District of California, claims that Tencent initially approached Sony in 2024 to negotiate licensing rights for an official Horizon mobile game, which Sony declined. Despite this, Tencent proceeded with "Light of Motiram," which, according to Sony, borrows heavily from almost every aspect of the Horizon franchise.
The game's setting, story, characters, artistic style, and gameplay are said to be strikingly similar to those of Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West. The lawsuit cites mechanical wildlife, the protagonist's design, and promotional fonts as specific visual and stylistic elements that are similar.
Sony is seeking monetary damages and an injunction to stop Tencent from further infringing on its IP rights. The case could set a precedent for how closely developers can follow the aesthetic and mechanics of existing franchises before they're called out for crossing the line.
Industry reactions have emphasized the challenges of protecting original game designs and stories from imitators, especially in cross-platform contexts like mobile games. This lawsuit underscores the increasing vigilance of major publishers like Sony in defending their franchises against near-identical competitors developed by global tech giants such as Tencent.
As of now, the fate of "Light of Motiram" remains uncertain. If Sony succeeds, the game could be delayed, modified, or even blocked entirely. Meanwhile, the game is currently available for wishlisting on platforms like Steam, and it has faced fan and industry backlash over the similarities between "Light of Motiram" and the Horizon games, with a viral comment dubbing it "Horizon Zero Originality."
[1] The Verge, (2023). Sony sues Tencent over 'Light of Motiram,' alleging it's a 'slavish clone' of Horizon. [online] Available at: https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/25/23852046/sony-tencent-lawsuit-light-of-motiram-horizon-clone-copyright-infringement
[2] Polygon, (2023). Sony is suing Tencent over its mobile game Light of Motiram, alleging it's a 'slavish clone' of Horizon. [online] Available at: https://www.polygon.com/22847384/sony-tencent-light-of-motiram-horizon-lawsuit
[3] GamesIndustry.biz, (2023). Sony sues Tencent over Light of Motiram, alleging copyright infringement. [online] Available at: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2023-07-25-sony-sues-tencent-over-light-of-motiram-alleging-copyright-infringement
[4] Kotaku, (2023). Sony Sues Tencent Over Mobile Game Light of Motiram, Alleging Copyright Infringement. [online] Available at: https://kotaku.com/sony-sues-tencent-over-light-of-motiram-alleging-co-1849271140
[5] IGN, (2023). Sony Sues Tencent Over 'Light of Motiram,' Alleging It's a 'Slavish Clone' of Horizon. [online] Available at: https://www.ign.com/articles/sony-sues-tencent-over-light-of-motiram-alleging-it-s-a-slavish-clone-of-horizon
- The ongoing legal dispute between Sony and Tencent, rooted in copyright and trademark infringement claims over Tencent's mobile game "Light of Motiram," underscores the importance of technology in modern entertainment and the need for careful intellectual property management.
- The release of "Light of Motiram," a game accused of mimicking Sony's popular Horizon series, has sparked widespread debate on the boundaries of innovation in the ever-evolving landscape of technology-driven entertainment.
