BOMBSHELL: Sony Labels Tencent’s Defense as ‘Nonsense’ in Escalating ‘Horizon’ Copyright Lawsuit, Demands Preliminary Injunction Against ‘Light of Motiram’

In a significant and aggressive escalation of the ongoing legal battle, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) has delivered a scorching counter-filing, outright dismissing Tencent’s defense against the copyright infringement claims as “nonsense” and alleging deliberate corporate obfuscation. The high-stakes lawsuit, which centers on Tencent’s upcoming survival video game, Light of Motiram, accused of being a “slavish clone” of SIE’s blockbuster Horizon Zero Dawn franchise, is now hurtling toward a crucial preliminary injunction hearing. This legal maneuver by Sony could be a game-changer, aiming to halt all pre-release promotion and development of the Tencent title immediately.

The core of SIE’s latest filing, submitted in a California court this past week, staunchly refutes Tencent’s assertion that the lawsuit is “unripe” due to the alleged delay of Light of Motiram’s release until Q4 2027. Sony’s legal team has unequivocally stated, “The damage is done – and it continues,” emphasizing that the public perception of the intellectual property (IP) theft has already irreparably harmed the Horizon brand, a pillar of the PlayStation ecosystem.

Allegations of Corporate ‘Shell Game’ and IP Obfuscation

Beyond the outright dismissal of Tencent’s defense as meritless, Sony’s document introduces highly serious allegations regarding Tencent’s corporate conduct post-lawsuit. SIE has accused the Chinese tech giant of engaging in a “shell game” with its various brands and entities in a transparent attempt to minimize its direct involvement and legal liability.

This accusation follows Tencent’s quiet, yet noticeable, removal of key promotional assets—including character models and environmental design screenshots—from the Light of Motiram Steam page shortly after the initial lawsuit was filed in July. Sony sees this as an admission of guilt, not a proactive measure to avoid future infringement liability.

The controversy highlights several pivotal points of alleged infringement:

• Character Mark Copying: SIE argues vehemently that the main protagonist in Light of Motiram is a direct, unauthorized copy, or “Aloy lookalike,” of the Aloy Character Mark—a fierce, red-haired, tribal warrior huntress who is instantly recognizable and intrinsically linked to the PlayStation brand.
• Robotic Wildlife and Worldbuilding: The visual and thematic similarities of the game world, including the use of large, mechanical dinosaur-like creatures, are cited as pervasive and far exceeding the use of “well-trodden tropes” claimed by Tencent.
• Musical and Aesthetic Theft: Sony has gone as far as to point out the alleged recruitment of a composer who worked on Horizon Forbidden West to score the Tencent title, suggesting an intent to replicate the “look, sound, characters, and narrative” of the Horizon IP.

“Tencent refused to accept any responsibility,” the Sony filing stated, “and now attempts to avoid liability by playing a shell game with its brands and entities, even though the Chinese firm remains at the helm of this knock-off game.”

The Critical Preliminary Injunction: A Legal ‘Fatality’ Move

The most immediate and potentially damaging action taken by Sony is the formal request for a preliminary injunction. If granted by the court, this injunction would legally bar Tencent and all its associated entities from continuing any promotion, distribution, or copying of materials related to Light of Motiram that are “copied or derived” from the Horizon works.

This legal move is considered extreme in the AAA video game development landscape and signifies Sony’s unwavering commitment to protecting one of its most valuable exclusive intellectual properties. The injunction hearing is reportedly scheduled for November 20, 2025, which means a decision could be rendered before the end of the year, potentially freezing the project for years while the full lawsuit proceeds.

CPC Keywords Spotlight: High-value keywords central to this legal drama include Copyright Lawsuit, Preliminary Injunction, Video Game Development, Intellectual Property Protection, and AAA Gaming Market. These terms reflect the intense corporate legal spend and investor interest in the outcome of major IP disputes within the rapidly expanding global gaming market.

Industry Implications: A Defining Moment for IP Boundaries in Gaming

The Sony vs. Tencent case has transcended a mere corporate spat; it is rapidly becoming a landmark case that could define the legal boundaries of inspiration versus blatant imitation in the interactive entertainment industry.

Industry analysts are closely watching the proceedings:

• Precedent for Developers: A successful injunction would send a chilling message across the industry, especially to firms engaged in rapidly developing titles that draw heavily from established, successful franchises.
• The Value of Exclusivity: For Sony, the successful defense of the Horizon IP reinforces the value proposition of first-party exclusive games like Horizon Forbidden West and is a vital shield against the dilution of its core creative assets.
• Global Corporate Scrutiny: The case puts a spotlight on the often-opaque corporate structures of international giants like Tencent, forcing greater transparency when their subsidiaries are involved in legal battles.

The fact that journalists and fans alike “loudly decried the obvious and pervasive copying” of the Horizon elements upon Light of Motiram’s announcement is a powerful piece of evidence in Sony’s favor, suggesting the damage to goodwill and brand confusion is already established. As the November hearing approaches, the world’s gaming news outlets await what may be a defining moment in IP law for the modern era of digital entertainment.

Disclaimer: This article summarizes recent court filings and news reports. The final determination of copyright infringement rests with the court.