Genshin Impact Wins Lawsuit Against 'Cheaters'

HoYoverse, the company behind "Genshin Impact," has achieved a major legal victory in its fight against cheating in video games. In a case filed in a Canadian court, the Chinese developer, represented by law firm DLA Piper, obtained a ruling in his favor against an individual who co-developed cheating tools for the popular game.

The case: cheating and copyright infringement

The lawsuit, filed in February of this year, focused on illegal cheating tools such as Akebi GC, Acrepi and Genshin XYZ, which allowed players to evade the rules of the game and gain unfair advantages, such as perks normally available only through in-game purchases. Not only do these practices disrupt the fair gaming experience, but they also violate Genshin Impact's copyright and technology protection measures (TPMS).

While the lawsuit initially targeted a group of perpetrators, the final ruling was against a single individual who ignored repeated warnings from HoYoverse to cease distribution of these illegal programs.

A resounding ruling

The court awarded HoYoverse $1.5 million in damages, significantly higher than the $50,000 initially requested. This increase in compensation could be due to the defendant's failure to comply with prior warnings and continued to distribute the cheating tools, which aggravated the offense. In addition to monetary compensation, the court issued an injunction prohibiting the defendant from further infringing on HoYoverse's rights.

DLA Piper, the firm that represented HoYoverse, underscored the importance of this ruling as an example of the power of legal tools to protect the integrity of video games. According to Ryan Black, global leader of the Gaming and Interactivity area at DLA Piper, "this case demonstrates that developers have legal recourse to act against those who do not respect their intellectual property rights."

Bentley Gaikis, a partner at the firm, added: "The significant damages awarded should serve as a clear deterrent to future infringers, establishing that they face serious legal consequences for their actions." HoYoverse's win not only sets a precedent in Canada, but also reinforces the importance of protecting the creativity and effort behind video games. This case highlights three key points:

Protecting Game Integrity: Cheating negatively affects the experience of players who respect the rules, upsetting the balance of the game.
Developer support: Video games are the result of years of hard work and creativity, and cheat tools devalue that effort.
Effective deterrence: The $1.5 million fine and judicial ban send a clear message to potential violators: cheating is not only morally questionable, but also has serious legal repercussions.

With this ruling, HoYoverse reaffirms its commitment to the Genshin Impact community and maintaining a fair and fun environment for all players. By taking on those who seek to exploit its work, the company shows that it is willing to defend the gaming experience and the integrity of its intellectual property.

Source: Automaton Media