By Sagar Mankar 
In a landmark ruling, Krafton, the developer of the popular battle royale game PUBG Mobile, has emerged victorious in its copyright dispute against NetEase Games, the Chinese gaming giant.
The long-standing legal battle, which spanned over five years, centered on allegations that NetEase had infringed on Krafton’s intellectual property with its mobile games, Knives Out and Rules of Survival.
A History of Legal Battles
The copyright dispute between Krafton and NetEase dates back to 2018 when Krafton filed a lawsuit against NetEase, accusing the company of copying its ideas and designs for PUBG Mobile.
NetEase’s Knives Out and Rules of Survival were specifically targeted, as they were seen as direct imitations of PUBG Mobile’s gameplay and aesthetics.
In 2019, the two companies reached a private settlement, but the agreement was short-lived. Krafton claimed that NetEase had violated the terms of the settlement, prompting Krafton to re-initiate legal proceedings in 2023.
Krafton filed a lawsuit and demanded $65 million for damages and copyright infringement from NetEase.
The Recent Court Ruling
The recent court ruling in favor of Krafton is a significant victory for the company.
The court found that NetEase had indeed breached the settlement agreement by failing to adhere to its terms, including the removal of certain game elements that were deemed to be infringing on Krafton’s intellectual property.
While the court did not award Krafton the $65 million in damages that it had requested, it did award an undisclosed sum in liquidated damages.
This means that NetEase will have to pay Krafton a certain amount of money as compensation for its breach of contract.
History of Krafton’s Dispute with Other Developers
This is not the first time Krafton has found itself embroiled in legal battles over copyright infringement.
In January 2022, Krafton filed a lawsuit against Garena, the developer behind Free Fire and Free Fire Max, claiming that Garena had copied substantial elements of PUBG.
Krafton also sued Epic Games in 2018 for similar reasons, alleging that Fortnite infringed on PUBG’s intellectual property. However, Krafton dropped the lawsuit against Epic Games later that year.
Implications for the Industry
The resolution of the Krafton-NetEase dispute is a positive development for the battle royale genre as a whole. It sends a clear message that companies will be held accountable for infringing on the intellectual property of others.
This is particularly important in the battle royale genre, which has become increasingly competitive in recent years. With so many games vying for players’ attention, it is crucial that companies protect their intellectual property in order to maintain a fair and competitive marketplace.
Conclusion
This copyright dispute between Krafton and NetEase serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting intellectual property rights. The ruling in favor of Krafton is a significant victory for the company and sends a strong message to other game developers that copying is not tolerated.
As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it is crucial for companies to protect their innovations and creations. Intellectual property rights are essential for fostering a healthy and competitive gaming landscape.
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