MiHoYo Wins Commercial Defamation Lawsuit

Chinese game developer MiHoYo has successfully concluded a legal battle against a social media account operator accused of commercial defamation. The company stated that the WeChat account, known as "二游说事" (formerly "二游戏猫"), disseminated negative and misleading information about MiHoYo and its products, including "Genshin Impact," under the guise of game reviews.

MiHoYo alleged that the account operator used unverified data and misrepresented facts, making unfair comparisons with other games and inciting conflict among player communities. These actions reportedly generated significant traffic and revenue for the account.

The court ruled that the operator's conduct constituted commercial defamation. The judgment mandates that the defendant publish a public statement on their account for ten consecutive days to "dispel negative impact" and pay MiHoYo 100,000 yuan (approximately $14,000 USD) in economic damages and legal expenses.

This ruling underscores the legal consequences of spreading false or misleading information in the digital sphere. For companies, particularly in the competitive gaming industry, protecting their reputation from unfounded attacks is crucial. The decision reinforces the responsibility of content creators to ensure the accuracy of their reporting and avoid making unsubstantiated claims that could harm a business's commercial interests.