Koei Tecmo has successfully settled its intellectual property infringement case against Youzu, reaching an out-of-court agreement. Youzu admitted to and apologized for the infringement, which involved unauthorized use of Koei Tecmo’s game elements from titles like Nobunaga’s Ambition and Taiko Risshiden. This settlement marks the resolution of a significant dispute between the two companies.
The infringement case centered on Youzu’s use of music and images from Koei Tecmo’s games in its mobile titles, including Sengoku Legend: Uprising, Infinity Kingdom, and Dynasty Origins.
Koei Tecmo claimed that Youzu’s actions violated its intellectual property rights, potentially causing confusion among users and business partners. Despite initial efforts to address the issue through cease-and-desist letters and Youzu’s promises to stop the violations, the infringement continued, leading Koei Tecmo to take legal action.
In response to the ongoing violations, Koei Tecmo filed a lawsuit to protect its intellectual property. Youzu eventually acknowledged the infringement and formally apologized for the inconvenience caused to Koei Tecmo. This admission played a crucial role in reaching the settlement, as it underscored the seriousness of Youzu’s actions and their impact on Koei Tecmo’s business.
The settlement agreement includes measures to prevent further infringement and aligns with Koei Tecmo’s policy on protecting its intellectual property rights.
Koei Tecmo expressed satisfaction with the terms of the agreement, which it believes adequately addresses its concerns and safeguards its creative assets. As a result, the company decided to accept the settlement, conclude the legal dispute, and ensure future compliance from Youzu.
