Ubisoft Versus Apple and Google

Ubisoft files suit against Apple and Google in federal court.

Ubisoft filed suit against Apple and Google on Friday over a mobile shooter game that is allegedly a copy of Ubisoft’s Rainbow Six: Siege.  The game in question is entitled Area F2 and it is available to download at Apple’s App Store and Google Play.  Each of the game’s respective trailers reveals a similar style but Ubisoft is claiming that Area F2 is a “near carbon copy” of Rainbow Six: Siege which currently boasts fifty-five million registered players globally and is also a game category in electronic sports competitions.

Although Ubisoft is claiming copyright infringements, Area F2 remains available to download at Apple and Google respective online stores.  According to Bloomberg (where the story first appeared), Ubisoft prides itself on Rainbow Six: Siege (R6S) as one of its most valuable intellectual properties.

“Virtually every aspect of AF2 is copied from R6S, from the operator selection screen to the final scoring screen, and everything in between.”

Area F2 was developed by Alibaba Group Holdings’ Ejoy.com, an entertainment company based in China.  The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles although Ubisoft is headquartered in France.  Apple and Google have provided no comment on the lawsuit and have not taken the game down from their online stores.  Ironically, the Electronic Software Association (ESA) authorizes Google to officially remove online content with infringing material in the video game industry.

Alibaba recently bought Ejoy.com in 2017 supposedly to increase its presence in online and mobile gaming.  Area F2 started being marketed in the United States last year and was made free-to-download just last month.

Ubisoft’s Rainbow Six: Siege is based on a Tom Clancy novel about a fictional military intelligence unit called “Rainbow.”  The game has been nominated for several awards over the past six years winning “Esports Title of the Year” and “Radio 105 Esports Game of the Year” in 2018 as well as “Best PC Game” in 2014.