Garena Free Fire SUED by Krafton for copying PUBG! Apple and Google also accused

Krafton has sued Garena for copying its PUBG Mobile game, while Apple and Google are sued for distributing such content.

Garena Free Fire is accused of copying several elements from the PUBG games | Image: PUBG: New State (Amritanshu / HT Tech)

Garena Free Fire vs PUBG Mobile: This battle has been raging on for years amongst their fans. While that goes on, their developers are now getting into a kind of battle themselves. PUBG maker Krafton has now sued Garena for copying its game without paying any licensing fees. Krafton also sues Apple and Google for distributing those games on their app stores!

That's not all, Krafton has also filed a separate lawsuit against Google's YouTube for hosting lengthy videos featuring the Garena Free Fire videos and related content. YouTube has also been accused of “numerous posts containing a feature-length Chinese film that is nothing more than a blatantly infringing live-action dramatization of Battlegrounds.”

Krafton vs Garena goes on a different level

Krafton mentions issues with particularly two games that come from Garena. One has been the Garena Free Fire title that has been around since 2017; the other one being the Free Fire MAX that came out in September 2021. Both games are accused of copying the look and feel that PUBG Mobile introduced previously.

“Free Fire and Free Fire Max extensively copy numerous aspects of Battlegrounds, both individually and in combination, including Battlegrounds' copyrighted unique game opening “air drop” feature, the game structure and play, the combination and selection of weapons, armor, and unique objects, locations, and the overall choice of color schemes, materials, and textures,” says Krafton.

Krafton adds on by accusing Garena of earning hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue from in-app purchases. Google and Apple are also accused of the same, since they take hefty commissions from every purchase made on these app stores.

Krafton had earlier reached out to Garena for stopping the redistribution of Free Fire games, to which Garena refused. It then reached out Apple and Google for stopping the redistribution of the Free Fire and Free Fire MAX games, but of them continue to be available. YouTube was also asked to take down videos of Free Fire games that shows the infringed elements of the game, as well as a live action movie depicting scenes from the game.

What has Garena said?

"Krafton's claims are groundless,” said Garena owner Sea in a media statement. More development on this case is expected as days pass.