The company behind Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds has taken its first legal action against competing games. PUBG Corp filed a suit against Chinese NetEase, which is responsible for the mobile games Rules of Survival and Knives Out.
PUBG Corp alleges that these two games infringe on some 25 points that were introduced in its own game. Including a reference to a chicken dinner, a frying pan that doubles as both a melee weapon and armour, and map elements that look suspiciously similar. According to the suit, it is a combination of these elements that caused the infringement to happen.
Of course, it doesn’t hurt that NetEase’s games are often referred to as PUBG knockoffs for mobile.
It should be noted that PUBG Corp chose to avoid taking action against Epic Games and Fortnite Battle Royale; it’s closest competitor. Which could be an indication that the company is being extremely selective over what it considers a copy.
Fortnite Battle Royale is very clearly a different game that introduces its own elements to the battle royale genre. An important distinction in drawing the line on where copyright infringement begins.
PUBG Corp is looking to have NetEase games blocked from the Android and iOS platforms, and is also seeking damages from the company.
[Source: PUBG Corp v NetEase Inc]
