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Sony Sues Tencent Over Alleged Horizon Franchise Copycat

10/17/2025

29 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Sony Group Corporation filed a lawsuit against Tencent Holdings Limited alleging Light of Motiram is a blatant copy of the Horizon franchise.
Sony asserts Tencent is using a network of subsidiaries to avoid liability and infringe Sony's intellectual property.
Sony says Light of Motiram's character design closely resembles Aloy, Horizon's protagonist, causing public confusion.

History

Historical Context

In 1999, Sony sued Connectix over its Virtual Game Station emulator, claiming copyright infringement of the PlayStation BIOS. Although initially successful, Sony's victory was overturned by the Ninth Circuit Court in 2000, establishing a precedent for the legality of emulators. This case underscores ongoing intellectual property battles in the gaming industry, influencing how companies protect their creative assets.

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Story summary

Sony Group Corporation filed a lawsuit against Tencent Holdings Limited alleging Light of Motiram is a blatant copy of the Horizon franchise.
Sony asserts Tencent is using a network of subsidiaries to avoid liability and infringe Sony's intellectual property.
Sony says Light of Motiram's character design closely resembles Aloy, Horizon's protagonist, causing public confusion.

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