The Guangzhou IP Court Grants an Interim Injunction Halting the Distribution and Operation of Everyone WarCraft: War of Draenor Immediately
Blizzard Entertainment and NetEase, further to their filing of the copyright-infringement and unfair-competition lawsuit against Chengdu Qiyou Limited (“Seven Games”), Beijing Fenbo Times Internet Technology Co., Ltd (“Rekoo”) and Guangzhou Dongjing Computer Technology Co., Ltd (“UCWeb”), have filed an interim injunction petition to the Guangzhou IP Court. The petition requests the Guangzhou IP Court to prohibit the aforementioned companies from developing, operating, distributing and disseminating over the internet the game titled Everyone WarCraft: War of Draenor (formerly known as Chieftain Thrall: The expedition of WarCraft).
On March 9th, 2015, the Guangzhou IP Court issued a ruling to grant the sought injunction. It was ordered that:
Seven Games shall forthwith cease the reproduction, distribution and online dissemination of the above disputed game;
Rekoo shall forthwith cease the reproduction, distribution and online dissemination of the disputed game as well as the alleged unfair competition acts; and
UCWeb shall forthwith cease the dissemination of the disputed game through the website (
http://www.9game.cn).
The injunction ruling shall remain effective until the issuance of the final decision on the case.
Based on evidence produced by the parties, the Guangzhou IP Court opines that Blizzard and NetEase have a high chance to prevail on their claims. The Guangzhou IP Court also considers that the alleged infringement acts would cause irreparable harm to Blizzard and NetEase should they not be stopped in a timely fashion. Hence, the Guangzhou IP court issued a ruling to grant the injunction sought by Blizzard and NetEase.
“We welcome the efficient and timely injunction of the Guangzhou IP Court based on Chinese law," stated Eric Roeder, General Counsel of Blizzard Entertainment. “It provides a fast and effective remedy and fully demonstrates the determination and power of the Chinese courts to protect intellectual property, which is essential to encourage innovation and advance the further growth of the Chinese creative industry including games. Blizzard will continue to take action against companies and individuals that infringe its intellectual property rights.”
