Shanda Games is suing Baidu (and a few other game companies) for $8 million over Mir 2

Copying, both blatant and subtle, is a big problem in China’s gaming market, and now one major Chinese game company is alleging that some of its biggest competitors are in on the act. In a lawsuit filed by Shanda Games, the company alleges that game platforms run by Baidu and 37wan, along with games developed by Beijing’s Jiutian Chuangshi and Shanghai Kaiying, violate Shanda’s domestic trademarks for the game The Legend of Mir 2 (called 热血传奇 in China). Shanda is asking that the courts order the companies in question to publicly apologize, shut down the relevant games, and compensate Shanda to the tune of RMB 51 million (about $8 million).

Mir 2 is actually a Korean MMORPG game that’s over a decade old, having been released by WeMade Entertainment back in 2001. Shanda owns the rights to operate the game in China, and although it’s pretty old at this point, it was once China’s most popular MMO and it’s still definitely a valuable brand. Of course, whether or not Baidu, 37wan, or any other developers and platforms have actually been using its trademarks is not yet clear; it’s up for the courts to decide.

When contacted by Games in Asia, a Baidu representative declined to comment on the suit. We also reached out to Shanda Games for comment, and will update this story if we hear back. Until then, please enjoy this highlight video of Mir 2 PvP kills set to Chumbawumba’s only hit song “Tubthumping”.

(via QQ Games)