Sony Slams Tencent Over 'Horizon' Copyright; Seeks Injunction
In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing legal battle, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) has vehemently rejected Tencent's defense against allegations of copyright infringement, labeling the Chinese tech giant's response as "nonsense." The PlayStation creator is pushing for a preliminary injunction against Tencent, seeking to halt all pre-release promotional activities for their upcoming adventure game, Light of Motiram, which Sony claims is a blatant "knock-off" of its critically acclaimed Horizon franchise.
The intense legal volley comes as Sony filed its official opposition to Tencent's motion to dismiss the high-profile lawsuit. SIE's legal team insists that "the damage is done – and it continues," arguing that Tencent's purported delay of Light of Motiram's release to 2027 does not mitigate the perceived infringement or the ongoing harm to the Horizon brand. This latest development underscores Sony's unwavering commitment to protecting its intellectual property against what it views as a deliberate imitation.
The Genesis of the Legal Conflict: 'Horizon' vs. 'Light of Motiram'
The dispute first erupted in July 2025 when Sony initiated legal proceedings against Tencent, accusing the publisher of creating Light of Motiram as an unauthorized copy of its popular open-world series, Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West. The Horizon games, developed by Guerrilla Games, are renowned for their unique blend of post-apocalyptic settings, lush environments, robotic dinosaur-like creatures, and a compelling narrative centered around protagonist Aloy.
Sony's initial lawsuit highlighted numerous similarities, alleging that Light of Motiram mirrored core aesthetic and gameplay elements that define the Horizon experience. These perceived parallels reportedly included the visual style, the presence of mechanical fauna, and the overall open-world adventure game structure. For Sony, the resemblance was too striking to be coincidental.
Tencent's Defense and Sony's Rebuttal
In September 2025, Tencent formally responded to Sony's allegations, filing a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. The company's defense largely centered on the argument that while Light of Motiram might be considered "derivative" in a broad sense, it was not a direct "rip-off" and that its gameplay was "substantially different" from the Horizon series. Tencent asserted that their game stood on its own merits and offered unique elements that differentiated it from Sony's established franchise.
However, Sony has now launched a fierce counter-argument, dismissing Tencent's claims as utterly baseless. SIE's filing reportedly underscores a critical detail: prior to the development of Light of Motiram, Tencent had allegedly approached Sony with an interest in collaborating on an official Horizon game. This historical interaction, according to Sony's legal team, paints a picture of deliberate intent. Sony suggests that after failing to secure an official licensing deal, Tencent proceeded to develop a "knock-off" title, further strengthening the argument that the similarities are not accidental but rather a calculated attempt to capitalize on Horizon's success without proper authorization.
The Call for a Preliminary Injunction: Halting 'Ongoing Damage'
A key component of Sony's latest legal offensive is its demand for a preliminary injunction. Such an injunction, if granted by the courts, would prevent Tencent from commencing any pre-release promotional activities for Light of Motiram. This includes marketing campaigns, trailers, gameplay reveals, and public demonstrations.
Sony's rationale behind this urgent request is clear: it believes that any promotion of Light of Motiram in its current form would inflict further "damage" on the Horizon brand and its intellectual property. By stopping pre-release promotion, Sony aims to mitigate the potential for consumer confusion, dilute the unique identity of Horizon, and prevent Tencent from gaining an unfair competitive advantage by leveraging perceived similarities to an established and beloved franchise. The statement "the damage is done – and it continues" directly reflects this concern, suggesting that even a delayed release combined with marketing efforts would prolong the perceived harm.
Broader Implications for Intellectual Property in the Gaming Industry
This high-stakes legal battle between two of the gaming industry's titans carries significant implications beyond the immediate dispute over Light of Motiram. The outcome could set important precedents regarding intellectual property rights, the definition of "derivative works" versus "infringement," and the lengths to which companies can go to protect their creative assets.
In an increasingly globalized industry where games often draw inspiration from or outright imitate popular concepts, the lines between homage, influence, and outright theft can become blurred. Sony's aggressive pursuit of this case signals a strong message to developers and publishers worldwide: major IP holders are prepared to defend their creations vigorously in court.
What Lies Ahead in the 'Horizon' vs. 'Light of Motiram' Legal Saga
With Sony's opposition to the motion to dismiss now filed, the case moves into its next crucial phase. The courts will review both Sony's arguments against dismissal and its request for a preliminary injunction. This could lead to a hearing where both parties present their cases before a judge.
Should the motion to dismiss be denied, the lawsuit would proceed to discovery, where both companies would exchange extensive documentation and evidence. The request for a preliminary injunction, however, is often treated with urgency, as it seeks to prevent immediate and ongoing harm. The resolution of this specific injunction request could offer an early indication of the court's stance on the merits of Sony's claims. Regardless of the immediate outcome, the Horizon vs. Light of Motiram saga is poised to remain one of the gaming industry's most closely watched legal confrontations for the foreseeable future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is Light of Motiram?
A1: Light of Motiram is an upcoming adventure game developed by Tencent that is currently the subject of a high-profile copyright lawsuit filed by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Sony alleges it is a "knock-off" of its Horizon franchise.
Q2: Why is Sony suing Tencent?
A2: Sony is suing Tencent for alleged copyright infringement, claiming that Light of Motiram copies core elements and intellectual property of its Horizon game series, including visual style, mechanical creatures, and open-world adventure gameplay.
Q3: What is a preliminary injunction, and why is Sony requesting one?
A3: A preliminary injunction is a court order that temporarily prevents a party from taking certain actions before a full trial. Sony is requesting one to stop Tencent from conducting any pre-release promotional activities for Light of Motiram, arguing that such promotion would inflict further "damage" on the Horizon brand and intellectual property.
Q4: What is Tencent's defense?
A4: Tencent has argued that Light of Motiram is "derivative" but not a "rip-off" of Horizon, asserting that its gameplay is "substantially different." They have filed a motion to dismiss Sony's lawsuit.
Q5: What are the potential outcomes of this lawsuit?
A5: Potential outcomes range from the lawsuit being dismissed, a settlement between the two companies, or the case proceeding to a full trial. If Sony prevails, it could result in damages being awarded, an injunction to prevent the game's release or require significant changes, or other legal remedies. The immediate focus is on the court's decision regarding Tencent's motion to dismiss and Sony's request for an injunction.