“Chinese game makers are not only copying graphics and gameplay styles but also characters and the names of skills and abilities and releasing new games. The South Korean government needs to come up with strong countermeasures,” the Korea Association of Game Industry (K-Games) said in a statement issued on Thursday. (Image: Bluehole)
SEOUL, Nov. 24 (Korea Bizwire) – The South Korean gaming industry is urging the government to take action against Chinese video game rip-offs.
“Chinese game makers are not only copying graphics and gameplay styles but also characters and the names of skills and abilities and releasing new games. The South Korean government needs to come up with strong countermeasures,” the Korea Association of Game Industry (K-Games) said in a statement issued on Thursday.
According to K-Games, South Korean game maker Neople’s hit game Dungeon Fighter has been illegally copied in a number of rip-off games in the Chinese market, while PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds from Bluehole has also been imitated.
Other South Korean games including Webzen’s MU Online, NCSOFT’s Aion, and Netmarble Games’
Stone Age have also faced copyright issues.
“Though lawsuits and shutdowns of illegal servers are being pursued by South Korean game makers through Chinese publishers, the drawn out legal procedures are prolonging the process and increasing damages,” K-Games said.
“Government branches need to swiftly adopt measures to help protect the rights of South Korean companies,” the association urged.
South Korean game maker Nexen has already announced plans on its website to wage a legal battle against illegal rip-offs of Dungeon Fighter in China over intellectual property infringement.
M.H.Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
