Posts Tagged ‘The9’

Webzen vs The9, the Fight for MU is continuing

April 3rd, 2013

The9, Chinese publisher of original MU(Chinese title: 奇迹/Miracle), announced that they will reveal the test schedule for MU2 on the 5th of April. That made Webzen, the developer of the original MU, in panic.

The9 announced MU X, the sequel of MU as they said, at 2009 Chinajoy and started developing. However, MU X is developed by The9 itself without getting any permission from the original creator Webzen. When Webzen complained, The9 decided to change the title of the game as 奇迹傳說(Miracle Legends).  Now, The9 announced that they are going to change the game title as MU2(奇迹2) because the Chinese government approved The9 to use MU2(奇迹2).

Webzen sued The9 for the returning of trademark right in Korea in 2010 and won. However, they did not sued The9 for it in China because they have already won the lawsuit in Korea and did not want to continue disputing with their partner any more. That has made the trademark issue arising again.

Now, Webzen is agonizing how to react. According to Webzen, some artworks that The9 distributed to Chinese media are belong to Webzen. The 2nd round of Trademark dispute between Webzen and The9 has just begun.

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Webzen is Watching MUX of The9

October 26th, 2011

The9 Korea announced its inroad into Korean market and its stance on publishing <MUX> in Korea yesterday.

SoonWoo Park the president of The9 Korea said “We believe <MUX> is not a copycat since nothing but its name and a few posters is revealed so far. We probably launch its alpha test early next year. As its completion is quite satisfactory we could publish it in Korea if Korean gamers want.”

<MUX> has been introduced at China Joy 2009 and has provoked controversy over plagiarism of <MU> developed by Webzen and published in China by The9 itself. The9 explained the game that it officially succeeded <MU>’s spirit at the China Joy 2009. Moreover, it featured very similar music, character, item, and effects to what of <MU>.

Webzen therefore had filed a lawsuit for return of the trademark right against The9 in Korea and successfully won the case in 2010. But Webzen has not sued The9 in China so far.

Since The9 is their official partner publishing <MU> and <SUN> in China no matter what and they won the case in Korea anyways they don’t seem to want any more trouble between them.

The9 told Webzen last year that it will change the title <MUX> to <Miracle: Ultimate X> but nothing has changed so far in its homepage. It is still using the controversial logo title and the promised title cannot be found in anywhere. Even more, The9 keeps updating its development feedback to the site every month.

The9 officially announced its first test early next year. So let’s see if the title and how much of it would have been changed from its year 2009 version since they are so sure about it not being copied from <MU>.

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Chinese Games Invade Korean Market

July 7th, 2011

Recently Chinese game companies are making an inroad into Korean market. They are now trying to service their games directly in Korea rather than publishing Korean online game in their country.

The9, Kunlun, and Tencent are representative publishers.

Kunlun founded Kunlun Korea last June and kicked off CBT of <K3 Online> today. It plans to launch 4 web games and 1 MMORPG within this year.

The9 also founded Korean branch this year and is preparing to hold a test within this year.

A giant game conglomerate Tencent is also moving into Korea. Tencent Korea has already been founded long time ago but had limitedly worked on searching Korean online games to publish in China or developers to invest.

However recent Tencent Korea is alledgedly working on publishing an online game by hire publishing experts away.

They would either service their own games to Korea or directly publish other developers’ game regardless of nation in Korea.

An official of Kunlun said ‘We are very eager to succeed in Korea where is the online game power. So we are aggresively investing the Korean branch. We are expecting to have as many as 100 employees at Kunlun Korea where currently 20 employees are working by this year.”

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Webzen Vs. Red 5 Studio Over Contract

June 30th, 2011

<Firefall> is falling in Korea.

This week, Red 5 Studio has filed arbitration over troubles with Webzen, Korean publisher of <Firefall>, to ICC(International Chamber of Commerce) because of their poor engagement.

On the heels of Red 5 Studio’s submission, Webzen expressed its stance today.

According to Webzen’s notice, they are to comply with later judgement but will confront Red 5 Studio squarely in order to protect their contractual rights.

While Red 5 Studio asserts Webzen has breached the contract, Webzen clarified they have fully fulfilled all the obligation so far and will continue fulfilling it until the contract expires.

“We are in charge of global service and business strategy of <Firefall> excluding NA and Europe. We have prepared its service in Korea despite of its numerous delays for last 5 years of develompent,” said Webzen. “Red 5 Studio whose The9, a Chinese publisher which had been fought with Webzen over infringement of <MU Online>’s IP, is the biggest shareholder, has pushed us to launch the game in Korea in spite of its unfinished development.”

In addition to the game service trouble, Webzen also pointed out that Red 5 Korea, allegedly a relative of Red 5 Studio, is infringing the contract as Webzen exclusively holds the business right in Korea.

Webzen therefore has notified Red 5 Korea to stop its operation several times but Red 5 Korea kept their work and Red 5 Studio has neglected Webzen’s request. So Webzen is about to face the troubles against Red 5 Studio firmly and take required legal actions since Red 5 Studio first made the issue public via Korean media.

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Congratulatory Messages from Asia

March 17th, 2011

Click here to see more congratory images from Korean and global companies.

Changyou from China.

The9 from China

Megaxus from Indonesia

Userjoy from Taiwan.

Winking from Taiwan.

TDP from Thailand.

Winner Online from Thailand.

Kreon from Indonesia.

Gamelabs from Malaysia.

VTC from Vietnam.

VDC-Net2E from Vietnam.

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