Riot Games Suing Vietnamese Studio Imba Network for Copying Teamfight Tactics
Riot Games is taking legal action against Imba Network, a Vietnamese video game studio, for allegedly copying its popular game Teamfight Tactics. According to a recent report by Polygon, Riot Games has filed a lawsuit, claiming that Imba Network’s game, I am Hero: AFK Tactical Teamfight, is a “knock-off” of Teamfight Tactics. The lawsuit alleges that Imba Network has copied character names, designs, backstories, and other characteristics from Teamfight Tactics with very few changes.
The lawsuit includes images comparing a character from I am Hero, Tomee, with the League champion Teemo. The images show striking similarities in their backstories and headers, with only a slight difference in wording. Even their epithets are almost the same, with Teemo being the Swift Scout, and Tomee being the Hasty Scout.
To remedy the alleged infringement, Riot Games is asking the court to prohibit Imba Network from selling their autobattler in Vietnam. In addition, Riot Games is seeking $150,000 per instance of infringement.
Not only Riot Games, but other players have also noticed the similarities between the two games. Some reviews of I am Hero: AFK Tactical Teamfight have noted the resemblance to Teamfight Tactics.
This is not the first time Riot Games has taken legal action against other game developers. In 2018, Riot Games’ parent company, Tencent, won a case against Moontoon over its game Mobile Legends. With the evidence presented, it seems likely that Riot Games may secure another victory in this lawsuit.
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