HT TECH wants to start sending you push notifications. Click allow to subscribe

Garena Free Fire BAN: Is it possible after Krafton lawsuit for copying its PUBG?

Garena Free Fire, Free Fire Max could face ban in the wake of Krafton's lawsuit, accusing them of copying its game.

By: AMRITANSHU MUKHERJEE
Updated on: Jan 14 2022, 11:28 IST
Krafton majorly accuses Garena of blatantly ripping of several aspects that were introduced by PUBG Mobile a few years ago. (HT Tech)
Krafton majorly accuses Garena of blatantly ripping of several aspects that were introduced by PUBG Mobile a few years ago. (HT Tech)

Garena Free Fire is in TROUBLE! We just learned that PUBG Mobile publisher Krafton has files a lawsuit against Sea, who owns Garena, for copyright infringement of its PUBG Mobile and related games. Krafton is targeting 2017's Free Fire and the 2021 title Free Fire Max for allegedly copying several elements from PUBG games. 

The lawsuit also involves cases against Apple and Google for continuing to distribute the game even after Krafton informing them of the same. Additionally, YouTube is also involved in the case for hosting Free Fire videos consisting of infringed elements, as well as a Chinese movie that rips of elements from the PUBG games. 

You may be interested in

Mobiles Tablets Laptops
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
  • Black Titanium
  • 8 GB RAM
  • 256 GB Storage
₹156,900
Check details
28% OFF
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G
  • Green
  • 12 GB RAM
  • 256 GB Storage
₹107,999₹149,999
Buy now
Google Pixel 8 Pro
  • Obsidian
  • 12 GB RAM
  • 128 GB Storage
₹106,998
Check details
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
  • Black
  • 6 GB RAM
  • 128 GB Storage
₹87,900
Check details
21% OFF
Acer Swift Go SFG14 41 NX KG3SI 002 Laptop
  • Pure Silver
  • 8 GB RAM
  • 512 GB SSD
₹58,990₹74,999
Buy now
41% OFF
Acer Aspire 5 A515 57G Laptop
  • Gray
  • 16 GB RAM
  • 512 GB SSD
₹52,990₹89,999
Buy now
41% OFF
Acer Aspire 3 A315 24 NX KDESI 004 Laptop
  • Silver
  • 8 GB RAM
  • 512 GB SSD
₹34,490₹57,999
Buy now
40% OFF
Asus VivoBook 15 X515JA BQ322WS Laptop
  • Transparent Silver
  • 8 GB RAM
  • 512 GB SSD
₹31,350₹51,990
Buy now
35% OFF
Xiaomi Pad 6
  • Mist Blue
  • 6 GB RAM
  • 128 GB Storage
₹25,999₹39,999
Buy now
55% OFF
Lenovo Tab M10 5G
  • Abyss Blue
  • 6 GB RAM
  • 128 GB Storage
₹20,999₹47,000
Buy now
32% OFF
Realme Pad 2
  • Imagination Grey
  • 6 GB RAM
  • 128 GB Storage
₹19,668₹28,999
Buy now
Honor Pad X9
  • Gray
  • 4 GB RAM
  • 128 GB Storage
₹16,998
Check details

What is Garena Free Fire accused of?

In the lawsuit, Krafton majorly accuses Garena of blatantly ripping of several aspects that were introduced by PUBG Mobile a few years ago. Both Free Fire and Free Fire Max have been accused of copying the:

- Game opening “air drop” feature

- The game structure and play

- The combination and selection of weapons and armour

- Several unique objects

- Several locations from maps

- Overall choice of colour schemes, materials, and textures.

Additionally, Krafton says that after launching Battlegrounds (PUBG) in 2017, Garena started selling a game in Singapore that copied their game. It is said that Krafton’s predecessor, PUBG, and Garena settled some of the Singapore related claims. However, Garena says that the parties did not enter into a license agreement.

Additionally, PUBG did not authorize Garena to sell or distribute games that infringed its copyrights in the United States.

Why Google, Apple are present?

Krafton has earlier presented its findings to Google and Apple, requesting them to take down the game, or the components that were infringing the copyright. Both parties, however, refused to do the same and hence, Krafton filed a case. 

Will Garena Free Fire be banned?

If the case finds Garena guilty of copying stuff from PUBG Mobile, there could be consequences for the Free Fire series. 

- Garena could be asked to pay for the damages done by the copyright infringement, as well as pay Krafton for copying the elements. This could cost Garena millions of Dollars.

- If Garena cannot or refuses to do so, the court could ask it to take down the games, or remove the infringed elements. It could also ask Apple and Google to stop distributing the game until it is sorted out. 

Currently, we have no cluse how this case would fare out. However, if you play Garena Free Fire or Garena Free Fire Max, be on the look out for the developments in the case. 

Catch all the Latest Tech News, Mobile News, Laptop News, Gaming news, Wearables News , How To News, also keep up with us on ,Twitter, Facebook, , and Instagram. For our latest videos, subscribe to our YouTube channel.

First Published Date: 14 Jan, 11:28 IST
Tags:

Sale

Mobiles Tablets Laptops
4% OFF
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
  • Titanium Black
  • 12 GB RAM
  • 256 GB Storage
₹129,999₹134,999
Buy now
13% OFF
Xiaomi 14
  • Matte Black
  • 12 GB RAM
  • 512 GB Storage
₹69,999₹79,999
Buy now
10% OFF
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
  • Black
  • 6 GB RAM
  • 128 GB Storage
₹72,200₹79,900
Buy now
12% OFF
IQOO 12 5G
  • Legend
  • 12 GB RAM
  • 256 GB Storage
₹52,999₹59,999
Buy now
35% OFF
Xiaomi Pad 6
  • Mist Blue
  • 6 GB RAM
  • 128 GB Storage
₹25,925₹39,999
Buy now
38% OFF
Lenovo Tab M10 5G
  • Abyss Blue
  • 6 GB RAM
  • 128 GB Storage
₹20,999₹34,000
Buy now
38% OFF
Realme Pad 2
  • Imagination Grey
  • 6 GB RAM
  • 128 GB Storage
₹17,998₹28,999
Buy now
57% OFF
Honor Pad X8
  • Blue Hour
  • 3 GB RAM
  • 32 GB Storage
₹8,999₹20,999
Buy now
29% OFF
Infinix INBook X2 Plus XL25 Laptop
  • Grey
  • 8 GB RAM
  • 512 GB SSD
₹38,990₹54,990
Buy now
13% OFF
Lenovo Legion Pro 5 16IRX8 82WK00LPIN Laptop
  • Onyx Grey
  • 32 GB RAM
  • 1 TB SSD
₹135,999₹156,000
Buy now
31% OFF
Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED UP3404VA KN753WS Laptop
  • Foggy Silver
  • 16 GB RAM
  • 1 TB SSD
₹115,589₹167,489
Buy now
31% OFF
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 GA401QH HZ077TS Laptop
  • White
  • 8 GB RAM
  • 1 TB SSD
₹94,999₹137,990
Buy now
NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS