China - United Business Media, organiser of the Game Developers Conference (GDC), has filed a lawsuit against the organiser of a rival Chinese event for unlawful rights infringement.
UBM claims the organiser of the China Game Developers Conference (CGDC), an exhibition and conference dedicated to video gamers, has caused ‘public misconception’ with false propaganda and commercial defamation of UBM and its event, GDC China 2009, one of its five international GDC shows.
Lawyers acting on behalf of UBM have requested the China Game Publishers Association and Howell International Trade Fair immediately cease their ‘illegal acts’, namely unfair competition and false advertising, as well as offer a public apology, lift their influence on the local industry, and compensate for all corresponding economic losses.
UBM claims the China Game Publishers Association issued letters to businesses and individuals preventing them from participating in GDC China 2009, actions it believes have ‘negatively influenced the industry and led to serious repercussions’.
A spokesman for UBM says it is taking legal action not only to safeguard its rights, but to also ‘raise public awareness, set a positive example for the industry, and promote fair business and equal competition’.
The 20-year-old GDC is one of the world’s largest video game industry events. GDC conventions are held in cities across Europe, Asia and the US. As of this year, there are five events under UBM’s GDC brand, including: GDC, GDC Canada, GDC Europe, GDC Austin, and GDC China, each one targeting game developers in the online, console, and mobile sectors.
