Tencent Fires Back at PlayStation maker's Legal Action Regarding Alleged HZD Copycat Game
In a newly filed legal document, Tencent has sought to throw out Sony's legal complaint regarding the forthcoming action game Light of Motiram.
The plaintiff's Allegations and The defendant's Response
In July, Sony filed a legal case against Tencent, calling Light of Motiram a “blatant copy” of its sci-fi adventure series Horizon Zero Dawn. Tencent has since altered promotional materials for the title and now aims to dismiss the lawsuit entirely.
The developer calls the legal action “surprising” and claims Sony of overprotecting widely used video game elements found in many popular games.
“By suing over an not-yet-launched project that only employs long-established tropes found in dozens of other titles—like Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and others—the company aims for an impermissible exclusive control on genre conventions.”
Challenging Uniqueness and IP Elements
Tencent argues that the claimant’s claims are speculative and reliant on presumptions about a product still years away. Moreover, the firm points out that Horizon Zero Dawn itself is inspired by prior works and is not wholly unique.
Interestingly, the company also notes that the accuser vaguely accuses “the conglomerate” in general without identifying which of its several subsidiaries is truly at fault. This tactic complicates the legal basis of the case.
In addition, the defendant disputes Sony’s claim that the protagonist is a central brand element for the Horizon franchise, citing in-game imagery where the heroine is not the primary subject.
Procedural Technicalities and Future Steps
The motion also brings up corporate technicalities, asserting that although representatives from Tencent Holdings were present during discussions about a possible Horizon spinoff, it does not necessarily mean infringement regarding Light of Motiram.
The filing wraps up by emphasizing that Sony’s claims are unfounded and legally weak. Judges will next consider the request and rule whether the lawsuit proceeds or is dismissed.
