Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC v. Tencent Holdings Ltd.

Sony sues Tencent, alleging its game Light of Motiram is a “slavish clone” of the Horizon series.

Short Description :

Sony Interactive Entertainment filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Tencent, claiming that Tencent’s upcoming game Light of Motiram illegally copied the visual style, characters, and artistic elements of Sony’s popular Horizon series. The lawsuit alleges copyright infringement and trademark violation, seeking damages and a permanent injunction.

Facts :

⦁ Sony owns the Horizon franchise (Horizon Zero Dawn – 2017, Horizon Forbidden West – 2022).

⦁ In 2024, Sony reportedly rejected a Tencent proposal related to Horizon. Shortly after, Tencent’s subsidiary began developing Light of Motiram.

⦁ Sony alleges that Tencent’s game copies Horizon’s art style, character design, landscapes, and music, creating consumer confusion.

⦁ Sony seeks up to $150,000 per infringed work in damages, plus a permanent injunction to stop Tencent from releasing the game.

⦁ The case was officially filed on July 25, 2025, in the Northern District of California (Case No. 3:25-cv-06275).

Findings :

⦁ Sony accuses Tencent of:

⦁ Copyright infringement – copying Horizon’s creative elements.

⦁ Trademark infringement – using look-alike designs likely to confuse consumers.

⦁ Initial reports suggest Tencent has already modified content on Steam, possibly to avoid direct comparison with Horizon.

Suggestions :

⦁ This case highlights the importance of IP protection in the gaming industry.

⦁ Companies should rely on licensing or collaboration instead of imitating established franchises.

⦁ The lawsuit shows how copyright and trademark laws can be used together to block unauthorized copies.

Judgment / Status :

⦁ No final judgment yet.

⦁ Case is ongoing in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California.

⦁ Filed on July 25, 2025.

⦁ Sony demands damages and a permanent injunction.

Case Filing Date : July 25, 2025

Court : U.S. District Court, Northern District of California