Blizzard vs. NetEase: Leihuo Studio Hit with Copyright Lawsuit

A recent update on the Qichacha app has sparked a wildfire of speculation in the community. Two new court hearing notices have been issued against NetEase’s Leihuo Studio, with Blizzard Entertainment acting as the plaintiff. The cases involve copyright and trademark infringement, set to be heard at the Hangzhou Intermediate People's Court on June 1st. Community members are calling this a classic case of 'digging up old dirt' after a messy breakup.

For those unfamiliar with the terminology, 'Leihuo' is the key development studio under NetEase based in Hangzhou, responsible for hit titles like 'Justice Online' and 'Naraka: Bladepoint'. As for the cause of the lawsuit, netizens point to the 'bold marketing stunts' (known as 'henhuo' or 'harsh/daring moves') pulled by the studio during the turbulent split between the two companies. The game released items clearly modeled after Blizzard’s iconic gear—such as 'Frostmourne', 'Warglaives of Azzinoth', or the 'Invincible' mount—which clearly crossed a legal line and landed them in this courtroom showdown.