NetEase Files Lawsuit Against Blizzard Entertainment Seeking $43.5 Million in Refunds
Former Chinese publishing partner NetEase has filed a lawsuit against Blizzard Entertainment, seeking ¥300 million Yuan (roughly $43.5 million USD) in refunds for discontinued games and services to more than 1.12 million players since the server shutdown last January. As reported by Chinese media conglomerate Sina Technology, the long-time publishing partner is suing Activision Blizzard over a violation of licensing agreements — demanding compensation for refunds to players, as well as unsold merchandise inventory and deposits on undeveloped games.
The suit also includes what NetEase is calling several «unequal provisions favoring Blizzard Entertainment» in the licensing agreements between the two companies, such as bet-on agreements and large sum deposits by NetEase in order to insulate Activision from risk.
Sina Technology" url=https://weibo.com/1642634100/MDsG9B79a Shanghai NetEase Network Technology Development Co. Ltd.filed a lawsuit in Shanghai against Blizzard Entertainment Ltd. for breach of the series license agreement, seeking a refund of 300 million RMB.
The amount includes full refunds paid by NetEase in connection with discontinued games such as World of Warcraft, prepayments for the inventory of unsold games, and prepayment deposits for several undeveloped games. The case also involves World of Warcraft and other CN region game related agreements: contains a number of unequal terms and conditions in favor of Blizzard's unilateral rights, the legality and enforceability of the relevant provisions of the huge dispute.
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