MOONTON, Riot reach settlement after lengthy legal battle

Jenny Ortiz April 4, 2024

SiGMA news

MOONTON, Riot reach settlement after lengthy legal battle

Gaming giants MOONTON Games and Riot Games have finally put an end to their years-long legal feud with a global settlement, marking a significant milestone in the esports industry.

In a press release, MOONTON Games confirmed the two parties signed a settlement.

“MOONTON Games and Riot Games have reached a global settlement on their intellectual property disputes. After several rounds of communication, the two parties officially signed a settlement agreement recently, and Riot Games decided to formally withdraw the related lawsuits,” MOONTON Games said.

Riot Games has yet to issue a statement on this development.

Years-long legal battle

The dispute between the two companies traces back to 2017 when Riot Games filed a lawsuit against MOONTON Games, alleging the infringement of intellectual property rights in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. Riot Games claimed that certain elements of the game were too similar to those found in their own flagship title, League of Legends.

Initially, the case was dismissed, as it was deemed to be under the jurisdiction of a Chinese court. However, this was just the beginning of a legal battle that would span several years.

In 2022, Riot Games reignited the legal fire by initiating another lawsuit against MOONTON Games. This time, the focus was on copyright infringement, with Riot Games alleging that elements from both League of Legends and its mobile version, League of Legends: Wild Rift, were improperly replicated in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.

Despite efforts to litigate in the United States, the case was once again dismissed, with the court suggesting alternative venues for resolution.

Reaching a global settlement

After extensive rounds of negotiations, MOONTON Games and Riot Games have finally reached a global settlement. Both parties have signed a settlement agreement, bringing an end to all related lawsuits.

Esports powerhouses

Riot Games, founded in 2006, is an American gaming company renowned for its multiplayer online battle arena title, League of Legends. Over the years, Riot Games has expanded its portfolio to include mobile adaptations like Wild Rift, card games such as Legends of Runeterra, and the popular first-person shooter, Valorant.

MOONTON Games, established in 2014, is a Chinese gaming company celebrated for its mobile gaming offerings. Their flagship title, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, released in 2016, garnered significant attention in the mobile gaming community and solidified MOONTON’s position as a key player in the industry.