Tencent Addresses Horizon Plagiarism Lawsuit with Light of Motiram Defense: “Fame Doesn’t Establish Registered Trademark

Tencent Fires Back at Sony in ‘Horizon’ Clone Lawsuit, Argues Aloy Isn’t a Registered Trademark

October 31, 2025 – Teh escalating legal battle between Sony and Tencent has taken a new turn, with Tencent aggressively defending its survival MMO Light of Motiram against accusations of plagiarism leveled by the Japanese gaming giant. sony alleges Light of Motiram is a “shameless clone” of the Horizon series,specifically Horizon zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West,and filed a lawsuit in July 2025 citing copyright and trademark infringement.

Tencent is now pushing for the case to be dismissed, arguing that Sony is attempting to monopolize common gaming tropes and has misidentified the defendant entity. A newly filed 21-page defense statement forms the core of their counter-argument.

The central point of contention revolves around Sony’s claim that Light of Motiram infringes on the trademark of Aloy, the protagonist of the Horizon series. tencent contends that while Aloy is a famous and recognizable character, fame does not equate to a registered trademark.

According to Tencent’s filing, Sony has failed to “precisely and consistently identify a registered trademark,” relying instead on public recognition. The defense argues that “clothing, accessories and aesthetic traits are not enough to define a brand,” and that “notoriety does not create a registered trademark.” To be legally protected, a trademark must function as an identifier of the origin of a good or service.

Furthermore, Tencent asserts that elements like “robotic animals” and a “post-apocalyptic setting” – features Sony claims are uniquely Horizon – are prevalent themes in popular culture and cannot be exclusively claimed by a single franchise. They argue these are common narrative elements, not proprietary intellectual property.

The lawsuit hinges on whether Sony can prove Light of Motiram directly copies protectable elements of the Horizon series. Tencent’s defense aims to dismantle that argument by challenging the very foundation of Sony’s claims regarding trademark ownership and the originality of key game features.

It remains to be seen whether Tencent’s arguments will be enough to secure a dismissal of the case, and how Sony will respond to this latest challenge. The outcome of this legal battle could have meaningful implications for the future of game development and the protection of intellectual property in the industry.

What legal precedent does Tencent aim too establish by arguing that fame doesn’t equal trademark protection in this case?

The Core of the Dispute: Horizon vs. Light of motiram

The ongoing legal battle between Tencent and Horizon Games has centered around allegations of plagiarism concerning Tencent’s mobile game, Light of Motiram.Horizon Games claims ample similarities between Light of Motiram and their earlier title, horizon. This isn’t simply a case of shared genre tropes; the lawsuit alleges direct copying of core gameplay mechanics, character designs, and even UI elements.The core argument revolves around intellectual property rights, specifically copyright and trademark infringement. Understanding game plagiarism, copyright law for games, and trademark disputes is crucial to grasping the complexities of this case.

Tencent’s Defense: Unregistered Trademark & Lack of Exclusive Rights

Tencent’s primary defense hinges on a critical point: Horizon Games does not possess a registered trademark for “Horizon” specifically within the context of video games in relevant jurisdictions (particularly China, where Light of Motiram is primarily marketed). Their legal team argues that mere fame and widespread recognition of Horizon do not automatically confer trademark protection. This is a significant legal strategy, focusing on the technical requirements for establishing trademark protection, intellectual property law, and the importance of trademark registration.

Here’s a breakdown of Tencent’s key arguments:

* Fame ≠ Trademark: While Horizon might potentially be well-known within gaming circles, Tencent contends that this popularity doesn’t equate to legally enforceable trademark rights. A registered trademark provides exclusive rights to use a specific mark in connection with specific goods or services.

* Lack of Prior Registration: Horizon Games’ failure to secure a trademark registration for “Horizon” in relevant territories weakens their claim. This highlights the importance of proactive IP protection strategies for game developers.

* generic Use & Descriptive Terms: Tencent may argue that “Horizon” is a relatively common and descriptive term, making it harder to establish exclusive rights even with registration, tho this hasn’t been a primary focus of their defense.

* Autonomous Creation: Tencent maintains that Light of Motiram was developed independently,and any similarities are coincidental or stem from common industry practices. This relies on demonstrating a clear progress timeline and source code analysis.

Examining the Legal Precedent: Trademark vs. Copyright

This case underscores the crucial distinction between copyright and trademark law. Copyright protects the expression of an idea (e.g.,the specific code,art assets,and story of a game). Trademark protects the brand identity associated with goods or services (e.g., the game’s name and logo).

* Copyright Infringement: If Horizon Games could prove that Tencent directly copied substantial portions of Horizon’s code or art assets, they could pursue a copyright claim. This is a separate, though often related, issue from trademark infringement.

* Trademark Infringement: The current lawsuit primarily focuses on trademark, alleging that Tencent’s use of “Light of Motiram” (and potentially elements of the game’s branding) creates confusion among consumers, leading them to believe it’s associated with Horizon.

The Role of Consumer Confusion in Trademark Cases

A key element in trademark infringement cases is demonstrating consumer confusion.Horizon Games must prove that players are likely to mistakenly believe that Light of Motiram is affiliated with,endorsed by,or originates from the creators of Horizon. Evidence presented could include:

* Social Media Sentiment: Analysis of online discussions and player feedback.

* Search Engine Data: Tracking search queries related to both games.

* Survey Results: Directly asking players if they associate the two games.

* Marketing Materials: comparing the visual style and messaging of both games.

Implications for Game Developers: Proactive IP Protection

The Horizon vs. Light of Motiram case serves as a stark reminder for game developers of all sizes.Proactive intellectual property protection is paramount. Here are some practical steps:

1. Trademark Registration: Register your game’s name and logo in all relevant territories early in the development process. Don’t rely on fame alone. International trademark registration is crucial for global reach.
2. Copyright protection: Secure copyright for your game’s code, art assets, music, and story.
3. Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs): Use NDAs when sharing confidential information with contractors or potential partners.
4. Regular IP Audits: Periodically review your intellectual property portfolio to ensure it’s up-to-date and comprehensive.
5. Monitor the Market: Actively monitor the gaming landscape for potential infringements of your IP. IP monitoring services can automate