appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Karen Chiu

This article originally appeared on ABACUS
In a landmark case this week, a Chinese court awarded Blizzard and NetEase more than US$565,000 in a copyright infringement case. Two games from China’s 4399 Network and its subsidiary were accused of copying Overwatch, a globally popular shooter game. 
Images posted on the court’s Weibo account show visual similarities between the clones and Overwatch. The ruling finds that the Chinese games copied core elements and designs from Overwatch, including character appearance, skills, map routes, and team composition. 
These aren’t the first games from China accused of ripping off overseas blockbusters. Over the years, we’ve seen Chinese titles that look similar to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Fortnite, Rainbow Six Siege and PUBG. 

For more insights into China tech, sign up for our tech newsletters, subscribe to our award-winning Inside China Tech podcast, and download the comprehensive 2019 China Internet Report. Also roam China Tech City, an award-winning interactive digital map at our sister site Abacus.



8 richest Twitch streamers in 2025: net worths, ranked – from Ninja and Shroud to YouTuber PewDiePie and OnlyFans star Amouranth, but who signed a multimillion-dollar deal with rival platform Kick?

Microsoft’s Blizzard resumes NetEase partnership, bringing World of Warcraft back to Chinese players after bitter break-up

Blizzard Entertainment and NetEase to renew partnership this week, bringing games like World of Warcraft back to China

Tencent to launch hit game Valorant in China as it seeks a domestic successor to League of Legends

Overwatch

Overwatch wins China lawsuit over game clones

A comparison between screenshots of Overwatch (left) and Heroes of Warfare (right). (Picture: Pudong New Area People's Court)

Abacus

News Bites

Tech

Shanghai court fines makers of Heroes of Warfare and another Chinese game for copying Blizzard’s blockbuster shooter


Overwatch wins China lawsuit over game clones

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Shanghai court fines makers of Heroes of Warfare and another Chinese game for copying Blizzard’s blockbuster shooter

Shanghai court fines makers of Heroes of Warfare and another Chinese game for copying Blizzard’s blockbuster shooter