By Sagar V. Mankar 
Mob Entertainment, the creator of the hit horror game Poppy Playtime, has filed a lawsuit against Google, claiming the tech giant failed to properly address counterfeit versions of their game on the Google Play Store. According to TorrentFreak, the legal action, filed in California federal court, also targets Daigo Game 2020 Inc., the company behind the unauthorized/scam apps.
The Fake App Situation
The controversy centers around fake apps advertised as “Poppy Playtime: Chapter 3” and “Poppy Playtime: Chapter 4,” which appeared on the Google Play Store before these chapters were officially released. These unauthorized versions not only used the game’s name but also copied promotional artwork and screenshots from the authentic game’s second chapter.
What makes this situation particularly concerning is the scope of the deception. This counterfeit version has been downloaded over one million times and charges users between $30 to $95 for what it calls a “Guide wuggy playtime mod,” which reportedly leads to nothing more than a defunct webpage.
Google’s Alleged Role
The lawsuit also targets Google, alleging that it directly benefited from the scam apps by collecting a 15-30% share of each sale. Despite receiving multiple DMCA takedown requests from Mob Entertainment, Google allegedly failed to address the issue effectively.
Timeline of Takedown Attempts:
- October 31, 2024: Mob files a takedown request for Poppy Playtime: Chapter 3.
- December 9, 2024: Google removes the app but fails to prevent its reappearance days later.
- December 30, 2024: Similar issues arise with Chapter 4.
Mob Entertainment claims these delays and repeated app re-uploads violate DMCA requirements for swift action against copyright infringement.
Damages and Impact
The lawsuit seeks over $75,000 in actual damages, profits generated by the scam apps, and statutory damages of $150,000 per copyrighted work. Additionally, Mob is demanding an injunction to stop Google and Daigo from further infringing on its intellectual property.
This case underscores ongoing challenges in managing scam apps on digital platforms. Developers have increasingly voiced concerns about fraudulent games damaging their reputations. For instance, similar complaints arose recently regarding fake versions of Unpacking on the Nintendo Switch eShop and Black Myth: Wukong imitations.
Sources: TorrentFreak