PUBG developer Krafton (Blue Hole) filed a lawsuit against mobile developer Garena and Apple and Google over two mobile games, which Krafton believes copied its popular online shooters.
As detailed in the lawsuit filed by the company, Krafton accused Apple and Google of releasing a "blatantly infringing mobile version of PUBG" developed by Garena on its mobile app store.
Krafton is seeking compensation from Garena (and other related companies) for alleged "rampant and deliberate copyright infringement" of the two games it described around Garena, Free Fire and Free Fire Max.
Krafton argued in its lawsuit that Free Fire and Free Fire Max "extensively replicated many aspects of PUBG," including the game's "unique copyrighted game opening 'airdrop' feature" and "the overall choice of weapons, armor, and unique shapes, positions, and color schemes, materials, and textures" that are evident in the game.
While both Free Fire and Free Fire Max are free to play on Google Play and the Apple App Store, there are also many additional in-app purchases. Krafton claims Garena earned "hundreds of millions of dollars" from sales from both games, and that through both games, Apple and Google "also derived significant revenue from the release of Free Fire." ”
According to the lawsuit, Clifton had previously been in contact with Gareena about the match. "Around December 21, 2021, Krafton demanded that Garena immediately cease development of free Fire and Free Fire Max," the lawsuit reads, which goes on to state that Garena rejected the request.
Krafton also said in the lawsuit that it has engaged Apple and Google about the release of the two games on their respective platforms. In both cases, apple and Google failed to resolve legitimate copyright claims on their networks, and that in doing so, they "selectively enforced copyright laws" that held both companies liable for "intentional infringement," the lawsuit said.
The lawsuit also targets Google-owned YouTube for the removal of "a large number of videos" that include gameplay for Free Fire and Free Fire Max. The lawsuit also designated a live-action film called Biubiubiu, which Krafton called "a blatant infringement of PUBG live-action dramatization." The lawsuit says YouTube has so far failed to remove the videos.