Intellectual Property Infringement
Ongoing coverage on Intellectual Property Infringement.
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Project Ascension World of Warcraft emulator is shutting down following apparent Blizzard lawsuit settlement
Blizzard Entertainment has reached a mutual agreement with the World of Warcraft emulator Project Ascension, leading to its shutdown on September 4, 2026. The lawsuit accused Project Ascension of intellectual property infringement and generating millions of dollars through its cash shop. The developers plan to shift focus to a new project unrelated to Blizzard games.
Existing Unauthorized Steam Machine Companion Cubes Are Being Destroyed After Release Fiasco
Dbrand's unauthorized Steam Machine companion cube will not be sold, and pre-ordered units are being refunded. The manufacturer is requesting that existing samples, including one sent to The Verge, be returned for destruction. Dbrand admitted to making a mistake by selling the accessory without Valve's permission, which is a violation of intellectual property.
Blizzard sues private World of Warcraft server for "large-scale, egregious, and ongoing infringement of Blizzard's intellectual property"
Blizzard Entertainment has filed a lawsuit against Project Ascension, a private World of Warcraft server, alleging large-scale intellectual property infringement. The company claims the server has distributed millions of pirated copies of the game software, causing significant financial and reputational harm.
Blizzard sues to kill another World of Warcraft private server for 'large scale, egregious, and ongoing infringement of [its] intellectual property'
Blizzard Entertainment has filed a lawsuit against Project Ascension, a large private World of Warcraft server, for alleged large-scale intellectual property infringement. The complaint states that the server, which offers a classless, free-to-play experience with purchasable in-game items, has generated millions of dollars for its operators. The suit also notes the server's alleged connection to the Russia-based Aeza Group, which has been targeted by the U.S. Treasury.
Blizzard files lawsuit to take down World of Warcraft rogue server Project Ascension
Blizzard Entertainment has filed a lawsuit against Project Ascension, a rogue server for World of Warcraft, seeking its shutdown. The suit alleges intellectual property infringement and violations of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, citing Project Ascension's alleged sale of in-game currency for cosmetics and XP boosts. Blizzard also points to the server's hosting by Aeza Group, a sanctioned Russian company, as evidence of willful intent to engage in unlawful activity.
Random: There's a New Killzone Game, and It's Only on Nintendo Switch
A game titled Killzone Extraction has been released on Nintendo Switch, but it is unrelated to the PlayStation first-person shooter series and is considered shovelware. The publisher, Eathrabaria, is likely using the Killzone name for sales, and Sony may take legal action. Guerrilla Games appears focused on the Horizon series, making a new official Killzone game unlikely.
Pokemon and Palworld clone Pickmos removed from Steam: "We are revising the game to ensure a controversy-free…
The game Pickmos, which was accused of being a clone of Palworld and Pokemon, has been removed from Steam. Its publisher, Networkgo, intervened due to player feedback and concerns about asset flipping and design theft. The developer, PocketGame, is revising the game for a controversy-free experience and will re-release it after publisher approval.
'Hytale' Dev Seeks Legal Action Against Knock-Off Switch eShop Game
Hypixel Studios is taking legal action against a game titled 'Hytale: Sandbox RPG' on the Nintendo Switch eShop, which falsely uses the Hytale name and key art. The developer confirmed the matter is being handled by their legal team, aiming to have the infringing title removed. The same developer, RoVi Nine, is also accused of releasing a similar rip-off game called 'Coin Pit'.
Pokemon and Palworld Knockoff Pickmon Changes Name for "Lore" Reasons
The game Pickmon, noted for its similarities to Pokemon and Palworld, has been renamed Pickmos by developer Pocketgame. The developer claims the change is to better align with the game's lore and brand identity, suggesting the '-mos' suffix signifies a 'complete ecosystem' and 'grand cosmos'. Despite the name change for the game, the creatures within it remain called Pickmon, leading to some confusion. The article speculates the name change may be an attempt to avoid legal challenges from Nintendo and Pocketpair due to the game's striking similarities.
Popular Stardew Valley-like Starsand Island removed from Steam for using "visual elements from a classic title" without permission, devs say they've already sent a new build to Valve
Starsand Island has been temporarily removed from Steam due to the developer, Seed Sparkle Lab, using unauthorized visual elements from a classic title in its mini-game section. The studio has submitted a new build without the infringing content and will offer free DLC to all players. The game, which launched in February and received positive reviews, is expected to return to the platform after Steam's review process.
MMO Business Roundup: PEGI’s lockbox accountability, Root’s Discord alternative, Pickmon’s barely legal IP frappe
The Pan-European Games Information (PEGI) ratings system will now assign a default PEGI 18 rating to games featuring lockboxes or similar paid random items, with changes effective in June. A new Discord alternative called Root has emerged, and Grand Theft Auto Online is highlighting player-created content with triple rewards. The creature-collecting survival game PickMon has been unveiled, drawing comparisons to Pokemon and Palworld.