Latest news with #copyright


CBC
17 hours ago
- Business
- CBC
Digital identity copyrights + Protecting affordable rentals
The National breaks down Denmark's move to stop unauthorized deepfakes by allowing people to copyright their digital identities. Plus, how B.C. is trying to protect affordable rent.


Geek Culture
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Culture
Tencent Plays Coy About Copying Sony's Aloy
Tencent raised eyebrows late last year when it released the announcement trailer for Light of Motiram , an open-world survival game where humans use primitive technology to combat giant mechanical beasts. Sound familiar? Well, Sony certainly thought so, as the company is now suing the China-based studio over copyright and trademark infringement against its Horizon video game franchise. As reported by Variety, Sony Interactive Entertainment filed a lawsuit on 25 July in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, alleging that Light of Motiram is a 'slavish clone' of the Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West video games and requesting statutory damages of US$150,000 for each separate work in the Horizon franchise infringed. In addition, PlayStation is looking to prevent the game's release, stating that 'Tencent's copying of Horizon is so blatant that the public has described it as 'crazy,' 'insane,' and 'shameless.' Tencent also used its rip-off of the iconic Horizon main character, Aloy, as the centrepiece of its pre-release marketing and promotional strategy, deliberately causing numerous game lovers to confuse Light of Motiram as the next game in the Horizon series when encountering Tencent's promotional gameplay videos and social media accounts.' Horizon Zero Dawn (2017) According to further reports by The Wrap, Sony also stated that Tencent attempted to pitch its own version of Horizon in hopes of sealing a collaboration, and despite Sony rejecting the offer, Tencent moved forward with its plans anyway. Representatives for Tencent did not respond to either Variety or The Wrap's request for comments. From looking at the game's trailer alone, it's easy to see just how similar Light of Motiram is to Sony's popular adventure franchise, as apart from the obvious use of the same core man-versus-machine concepts, the upcoming game also features a post-apocalyptic setting, and a tribal protagonist that wields a bow alongside melee weapons to target specific parts of an enemies body, as well as the ability to ride mechanical horses, 'train' mechanical beasts, and use ariel gliders, making it seem far more than just mere inspiration. Light of Motiram To be fair, Tencent's title does feature unique mechanics that differentiate it from Sony's franchise, such as a focus on crafting structures like what appear to be energy pylons and turrets for base defence, hinting at a strong focus on base building and tower defence, alongside a bigger emphasis on multiplayer co-op gameplay. Still, the similarities between the two games are just too obvious for Sony to ignore, and only time will tell how the lawsuit plays out, and if there's trouble on Light of Motiram's horizon. Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise 'duds' like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3 . He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying. Horizon Zero Dawn Light of Motiram PlayStation Sony tencent
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sony Sues Tencent for Copyright Infringement, Slams ‘Light of Motiram' as ‘Slavish Clone' of PlayStation's ‘Horizon'
The company claims the China-based developer's adventure video game is positioned to deliberately confuse buyers into thinking the two franchises are related Sony sued China-based video game developer Tencent Games for copyright and trademark infringement on Friday over its adventure video game 'Light of Motiram,' which it claims is a 'slavish clone' of its own popular franchise 'Horizon' — specifically its 'Zero Dawn' and 'Forbidden West' installments. 'Tencent's copying of 'Horizon' is so blatant that the public has described it as 'crazy,' 'insane' and 'shameless,'' the company said of Tencent's game in its suit, which was filed Friday in California's Northern District Court. More from TheWrap Sony Sues Tencent for Copyright Infringement, Slams 'Light of Motiram' as 'Slavish Clone' of PlayStation's 'Horizon' TikTok Will 'Go Dark' Soon if China Does Not Strike Deal, Commerce Secretary Says Trump Says It Is 'Not Do-able' for AI Companies to Pay for All Copyrighted Content Used in Training Models YouTube Ad Revenue Up 13% Year-Over-Year in 2nd Quarter of 2025, Hitting $9.8 Billion The lawsuit goes on to specify that 'Light of Motiram' includes a copycat version of 'Horizon' main character 'Aloy,' the 'face' of its game 'Horizon Zero Dark,' which they say Tencent strategically used as part of their early marketing tactics as a way to confuse interested gamers into thinking 'Light of Motiram' was the next 'Horizon.' 'Tencent also used its rip-off of the iconic 'Horizon' main character 'Aloy' as the centerpiece of its pre-release marketing and promotional strategy, deliberately causing numerous game lovers to confuse 'Light Motiram' as the next game in the 'Horizon' series when encountering Tencent's promotional game play videos and social media accounts,' the gaming company stated. The lawsuit additionally claimed that Tencent began developing their game sometime in 2023 and crafted a young, female character with red hair, as well as tribal groups that fight for survival among 'large robotic animals in a post-apocalyptic world.' In addition, Sony stated that Tencent attempted pitch its own version of 'Horizon' to the mega video game publisher with hopes of sealing a collaboration. Despite Sony rejecting the offer, Tencent moved forward with its plans anyway, the lawsuit claims. 'Tencent was undeterred by SIE's refusal to license its Horizon intellectual property,' the lawsuit continues. 'Tencent continued secretly developing 'Light of Motiram,' eventually announcing a forthcoming game.' Sony is requesting the damages in the amount of $150,000 for each separate work in the 'Horizon' franchise infringed or of 'SIE's actual damages sustained as a result of Defendants' acts of copyright infringement,' and other monetary damages. Tencent has not announced a release date for 'Light of Motiram.' Representatives for the developer did not immediately response to TheWrap's request for comment. The post Sony Sues Tencent for Copyright Infringement, Slams 'Light of Motiram' as 'Slavish Clone' of PlayStation's 'Horizon' appeared first on TheWrap.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Game On! Sony Sues Tencent For Millions Over 'Slavish Clone' Of Post-Apocalyptic ‘Horizon' Franchise
Grind your consoles. The fractured legacy between Japan and China aside, Sony Interactive Entertainment is suing Tencent for copyright infringement, some big bucks and to put a halt to the release of the Middle Kingdom company's 'slavish clone' Light of Motiram video game. More from Deadline 'Horizon' Intimacy Coordinator Says "Protocols Were Abandoned" Over Scene With Stunt Woman That Led To Sexual Harassment Suit Apple To Appeal Judge's Scathing New Ruling In Epic Games Antitrust Case, Says CEO Tim Cook Google, Microsoft, Nintendo Of America And Ubisoft Reveal 'The Accessible Games Initiative' 'Tencent's unlawful copying of the protected audiovisual elements of the Horizon games, as well as its deliberate adoption of a confusingly similar character mark, constitutes both copyright and trademark infringement that should be enjoined immediately to prevent irreparable harm to SIE and the consuming public,' the Playstation media giant states in a July 25 action filed in federal court against the Shenzhen-based tech decades-old context of Chinese companies being accused of ignoring IP rules obviously plays a big role here in the background. Closer to the foreground, first shipped in 2017, the post-apocalyptic Horizon has sold tens of millions of copies and seen several sequels and spin-offs, including 2024's LEGO Horizon Adventures. So there is some serious money at play here. Aiming to score 'statutory damages of up to $150,000 for each separate work in the Horizon Franchise infringed' allegedly by the Motiram game, which still has a TBD release date, Sony also wants orders 'preliminarily and permanently' stopping the game from ever reaching market. And, they are very specific – like, with side-by-side graphics and more in the filing, character specific. 'The main protagonist of Horizon Zero Dawn is a striking figure named 'Aloy' characterized by her fiery red hair, tribal-inspired attire, specific-colored accessories, and distinctive facial markings; her journey from outcast to guardian of humanity anchors the game's narrative and emotional core,' the three-claim complaint, which seeks a jury trial, declares. 'Tencent also used its rip-off of the iconic Horizon main character 'Aloy' as the centerpiece of its pre-release marketing and promotional strategy, deliberately causing numerous game lovers to confuse Light of Motiram as the next game in the Horizon series when encountering Tencent's promotional game play videos and social media accounts.' In what could quickly become a true legal brawl worthy of Call of Duty: Mobile (which was developed by a Tencent subsidiary in 2018), neither reps for Sony's Playstation nor the 2003 launched defendant responded to request for comment on the lawsuit. Reading a bit like a Bible for a game itself, the document from Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe's Annette Hurst, Diana Rutowski and Laura Wytsma reveals that Sony tried to play nice initially – at least from their POV. 'In March 2024, at a gaming conference in San Francisco, California, Tencent executives approached Sony with a pitch: to develop its own Horizon game in collaboration with SIE,' the attorneys say in what could be the real canary in the coal mine here. 'Sony rejected the idea and considered the matter closed.' Alas, Tencent apparently did not consider the matter closed. 'Earlier this year, Sony had discussions with Tencent trying to informally resolve its concern that Light of Motiram violated its intellectual property rights,' the 48-page filing goes on to detail. 'Tencent again sought to license the Horizon intellectual property. Sony (again) communicated clearly and unequivocally that it would not license the Horizon assets to Tencent, objected to Light of Motiram, and insisted that it be withdrawn. Tencent has since signaled that it rejected Sony's demands and would forge ahead.' Or, as Aloy says upon her return to her Nora tribe in Horizon: 'I fought my Way past an army while you cowered in this cave, do you really think you can stop me?' Game on! Best of Deadline 2025 TV Cancellations: Photo Gallery 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery Everything We Know About Season 3 Of 'Euphoria' So Far


The Verge
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Verge
Sony calls Tencent game ‘slavish clone' of Horizon in new lawsuit
Sony is suing Tencent to attempt to stop the release of Light of Motiram, which Sony describes as a 'slavish clone' of its Horizon series of games, as reported by Reuters. Light of Motiram was announced last year with a trailer featuring an aesthetic that's quite similar to the Horizon franchise — including huge robot animals and even a title font that resembles the Horizon games. In its complaint, Sony alleges that 'unlawful copying of the protected audiovisual elements of the Horizon games, as well as its deliberate adoption of a confusingly similar character mark, constitutes both copyright and trademark infringement that should be enjoined immediately.' According to the lawsuit, Tencent started developing Light of Motiram in 2023. At the Game Developers Conference in March 2024, Tencent allegedly pitched Sony on a proposal that would have its Aurora Studios subsidiary 'develop a Horizon sequel game under the requested license,' which Sony rejected. 'Apparently, Tencent was undeterred by SIE's refusal to license its Horizon intellectual property,' Sony says. According to the game's Steam page, Light of Motiram's developer and publisher is Polaris Quest. In the lawsuit, Sony alleges that 'Upon information and belief, Tencent Shanghai does business under the names 'Aurora Studios' and/or 'Polaris Quest.'' Sony says that it 'had discussions with Tencent' to informally try to 'resolve its concern that Light of Motiram violated its intellectual property rights.' However, Sony alleges that Tencent 'again sought to license the Horizon intellectual property,' to which it 'communicated clearly and unequivocally that it would not license the Horizon assets to Tencent, objected to Light of Motiram, and insisted that it be withdrawn.' Tencent didn't reply to a request for comment. This isn't the only high-profile lawsuit over allegedly similar video games. Last year, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Palworld-developer Pocketpair. Pocketpair said in May that it had to remove features from the game due to the lawsuit. Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All by Jay Peters Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Gaming Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All News Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All PlayStation Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Sony Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Tech