Fortnite and PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds Going To Court In Korea

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Just when we thought that things had settled down between the makers of PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds and Fortnite, along comes an interesting twist.

A report from Korea Times indicates that the PUBG team, working under Bluehole, has filed a copyright violation lawsuit against Epic Games, requesting the court to determine whether Fortnite copied its fundamentals when it comes to its Battle Royale mode.

A PUBG official noted that the firm filed an injunction this past friday, looking to deal with Epic Games Korea through the Seoul Central District Court. “We filed the suit to protect our copyright in January,” they noted. He added that it was unfortunate that Epic Games made a similar game to theirs.

Bluehole had noted back in September that it was looking to weigh legal options against Epic Games after it launched a Battle Royale mode for Fortnite, but we thought things had simmered down following that statement.

As to why this is happening, it appears that Epic Games is preparing to enter the Korean gaming market, alongside Neowiz Games, with Fortnite so the creators of PUBG may be concerned that it would take too much of its audience. The question is whether the injunction will stop the game from releasing into that market.

Neither Epic Games nor PUBG had any comments on the matter outside of that, but the report is interesting. Korea Times notes that Fortnite is a “first-person shooter game” (though it’s clearly not) and there’s also concern as to why the injunction took so long to file.

Several users in Resetera have already sounded off on the matter. They think that PUBG doesn’t really have a case, considering that Battle Royale is an open genre at this point.

“Sue them for what lol a game mode?” one user asked. Another piped in, “Wow. Good luck.” And then a third noted, “I kinda want PUBG to win for the hilarious results.” Finally, one user had fun posting a dual Spider-Man pic with the two pointing at one another. Because of course they did.

PUBG has been struggling a bit in the face of Fortnite, but it’s going to be interesting to see how this injunction could affect their popularity. Thus far, most folks are treating it as a joke...though we’ll see what the court has to say soon enough.

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds is available now for Xbox One and PC. You can also play Fortnite on Xbox One and PC as well as PlayStation 4.

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Related Forum: Gaming Discussion

Source: http://comicbook.com/gaming/2018/05/28/fortnite-pubg-epic-games-going-to-court-korea/

Comments

"Fortnite and PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds Going To Court In Korea" :: Login/Create an Account :: 12 comments

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XeCookiePosted:

Lol bluehole is so but hurt but just like it says in the article; "Battle Royale is an open genre at this point."

-LSK-Posted:

If they're filing a lawsuit against Epic games does that mean they'll go after Activision for 'Blackout'??

DalmPosted:

Saw this on reddit a few days ago. Pubg wouldn't be doing anything if fortnite wasn't so popular lol. I have slightly gone off pubg anyway, I think this is a bit of a salty move

RaubenPosted:

You cant blame them for trying to scrape some money off them lol fornite can afford it.

322Posted:

Hollywood_Undead Its not copyright. No assets or anything from pubg were ever used... GG bluehole for sucking


You don't need to steal assets for there to be copyright infringement. As far as im aware Brendan Greene was the first person to develop a battle royal style game mode. Which he did in Arma 2 when dayz was getting popular. So maybe they do have a case for copyright infringement in Korea. Maybe not in other countries but I doubt anyone here can really say they don't have a case when none of us know their laws.

But besides, Bluehole would know what they are doing with this lawsuit. Maybe its just to try and delay fortnite hitting korean markets or maybe they think they have a real case under korean law. Either way, I don't think it will really cost them anything since no doubt they would have their own lawyers working full time and any court fees would likely be insignificant for them.

LGWPosted:

Fortnite > PUBG. Sorry Bluehole, your game sucks.

MazePosted:

Can't wait to see the outcome of this.

MushroomElmPosted:

Fundamentals? PUBG is a slow paced shooter, while Fortnite is a quick paced shooter mixed in with building, flying around with weird kites and dancing. Lol.

PUBG actss like it is the first game to be a BR, when plenty of games had the 'fundamentals' for it first. Guess Hunger Games should sue, since they were before PUBG and it's basically the same thing *Rolls eyes*

TOXICPosted:

This happens for most games anyways lmao, why make it a big deal just cuz these games are popular?

SynicallyEvilPosted:

I can't wait to see this fail, to be honest.