Sony and Tencent's Legal Battle Over Light of Motiram

The ongoing legal conflict between Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) and Tencent centers around the latter's upcoming game, Light of Motiram, which Sony alleges is a "slavish clone" of its Horizon franchise. The lawsuit, filed in July 2025, accuses Tencent of copyright and trademark infringement, claiming that Light of Motiram mimics the world design, characters, and even the soundtrack of Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West.

Sony Fires Back at Tencent, Accuses It of “Shell Game” in Ongoing Horizon Clone LawsuitSony slams Tencent's defence of Horizon "knock-off" Light of Motiram, claiming "the damage is done, and it continues""The damage is done": Sony slams Tencent's "nonsense" response to lawsuit over Horizon Zero Dawn-like Light of Motiram, calling the open-world survival game a "knock-off"Lawsuit Against Tencent Over a ‘Horizon’ Clone — Sony Says Chinese Giant Is Hiding Behind Shell CompaniesSony Calls Tencent’s Defense of Horizon Knock-Off, Light of Motiram,”Nonsense”Sony Hits Back At Tencent In Its Lawsuit Over Horizon Knockoff Light Of Motiram, Labelling Its Defence As ‘Nonsense’

In a recent court filing, Sony dismissed Tencent's defense as "nonsense," asserting that the damage caused by the promotion of Light of Motiram has already occurred. Sony contends that Tencent's marketing has led to consumer confusion, with many believing Light of Motiram to be a legitimate continuation of the Horizon series. The company specifically criticized Tencent for hiring the composer of Horizon Forbidden West and for creating a character that closely resembles Aloy, the protagonist of the Horizon games.

Sony slams Tencent's defence of Horizon "knock-off" Light of Motiram, claiming "the damage is done, and it continues"Lawsuit Against Tencent Over a ‘Horizon’ Clone — Sony Says Chinese Giant Is Hiding Behind Shell Companies"The damage is done": Sony slams Tencent's "nonsense" response to lawsuit over Horizon Zero Dawn-like Light of Motiram, calling the open-world survival game a "knock-off"Sony Hits Back At Tencent In Its Lawsuit Over Horizon Knockoff Light Of Motiram, Labelling Its Defence As ‘Nonsense’Sony Calls Tencent’s Defense of Horizon Knock-Off, Light of Motiram,”Nonsense”Sony Fires Back at Tencent, Accuses It of “Shell Game” in Ongoing Horizon Clone Lawsuit

Sony's legal documents highlight that Tencent attempted to distance itself from liability by using a network of subsidiaries, including Aurora Studios and Level Infinite. Sony argues that Tencent Holdings, the parent company, should be held accountable, as it retains ownership of the game's trademark and has been actively promoting Light of Motiram.

Sony Calls Tencent’s Defense of Horizon Knock-Off, Light of Motiram,”Nonsense”Sony Hits Back At Tencent In Its Lawsuit Over Horizon Knockoff Light Of Motiram, Labelling Its Defence As ‘Nonsense’Lawsuit Against Tencent Over a ‘Horizon’ Clone — Sony Says Chinese Giant Is Hiding Behind Shell CompaniesSony slams Tencent's defence of Horizon "knock-off" Light of Motiram, claiming "the damage is done, and it continues""The damage is done": Sony slams Tencent's "nonsense" response to lawsuit over Horizon Zero Dawn-like Light of Motiram, calling the open-world survival game a "knock-off"Sony Fires Back at Tencent, Accuses It of “Shell Game” in Ongoing Horizon Clone Lawsuit

In response to the lawsuit, Tencent has claimed that Sony's accusations are an attempt to monopolize a genre of gaming. The company argues that its use of common gaming tropes does not infringe on Sony's intellectual property. Tencent also contended that the case is "unripe" because it delayed the release of Light of Motiram to 2027, following the lawsuit. However, Sony refuted this claim, stating that the extensive promotion of the game prior to the delay has already caused irreparable harm.

Sony slams Tencent's defence of Horizon "knock-off" Light of Motiram, claiming "the damage is done, and it continues"

The public response to Light of Motiram has been overwhelmingly critical, with many fans and journalists labeling it a blatant copy of Horizon. Sony's filing noted that numerous observers have pointed out the striking similarities between the two games, further complicating Tencent's defense. The implications of this lawsuit extend beyond the immediate parties involved, as it could set a significant precedent for future copyright disputes in the gaming industry.

Sony slams Tencent's defence of Horizon "knock-off" Light of Motiram, claiming "the damage is done, and it continues"

Sony has emphasized that the promotion of Light of Motiram continues to jeopardize the Horizon franchise's reputation and future success. The company has requested that the court deny Tencent's motion to dismiss the case, allowing the legal proceedings to advance to the discovery phase. This phase would enable Sony to access Tencent's internal communications regarding the development and marketing of Light of Motiram.

Sony Hits Back At Tencent In Its Lawsuit Over Horizon Knockoff Light Of Motiram, Labelling Its Defence As ‘Nonsense’

As the lawsuit progresses, both companies are expected to continue their legal strategies. Sony aims to gather evidence to support its claims of infringement, while Tencent will likely maintain its defense against the allegations. The outcome of this case could have lasting effects on how intellectual property is protected within the gaming industry.

Sony Calls Tencent’s Defense of Horizon Knock-Off, Light of Motiram,”Nonsense”