Sony vs. Tencent: Legal Battle Deepens Over “Light of Motiram” – A Summary
Here’s a breakdown of the ongoing legal battle between Sony and Tencent, based on the provided text:
The Core Issue: Sony is suing Tencent, alleging that Tencent’s upcoming game, “Light of Motiram,” is a blatant copy of the “Horizon” franchise (starring Aloy).
Key Accusations by Sony:
* direct Copying: “Light of Motiram” copies essential elements of “horizon,” including:
* Aesthetic: Similar tribal aesthetic mixed with technology.
* Creatures: Very similar creature designs.
* Music: Tencent hired a composer who worked on ”Horizon Forbidden West” to mimic the style.
* Protagonist: The game’s protagonist is a deliberate “lookalike” of aloy.
* Intentionality: Tencent previously proposed developing a “Horizon” game set in asia to Sony, suggesting awareness and thankfulness of the franchise.
* Corporate structure Abuse: Tencent is attempting to shield itself from liability by spreading obligation across its subsidiaries (Aurora studio, Level Infinite, Proxima Beta). Sony argues Tencent Holdings, the parent company, is ultimately responsible as they control the trademark, website, and branding.
* Ongoing Damage: Even though the game’s release is delayed, trailers and promotional images remain online, continuing to cause damage to the ”Horizon” brand.
* US Market Focus: Tencent America is involved in marketing and a planned beta test in the US, indicating the game is specifically targeted at the american market.
tencent’s Defense:
* Premature Lawsuit: Tencent argues the case is premature as the game hasn’t been released yet.
* Subsidiary Responsibility: They are attempting to deflect blame onto their various subsidiaries.
Sony’s Demands:
* Reject Tencent’s Dismissal Request: Sony wants the judge to allow the case to proceed.
* Discovery Phase: Sony wants access to Tencent’s internal documents, emails, and statements to further build their case.
* Recognition of Aloy as a Brand Symbol: Sony emphasizes Aloy is not just a character, but a key symbol representing the “Horizon” franchise.
Significance: This case could set a legal precedent regarding the boundaries of inspiration versus copyright infringement in video game development. It’s being compared to the recent “Palworld” controversy (though that involves patents).
In essence, Sony believes Tencent deliberately created a game to capitalize on the success and recognition of “Horizon,” and is using complex corporate maneuvering to avoid accountability.
