NCsoft Seeks to Block the Release of Tera

Don't mess with NCsoft.

January 26, 2012

 Bluehole Studio's upcoming MMO Tera could find itself missing its launch in May if NCsoft has anything to say about it. The publisher filed a trade secrets and unfair competition lawsuit against the Tera developer, which it alleges is made up of former NCsoft employees "who quit to go into business for themselves in the midst of creating a new game called Lineage 3." This could mean a serious delay for Tera's planned release in May.

This isn't breaking any rules, of course. The conflict arises from NCsoft's accusation that these folks "made off with copious amounts of confidential and proprietary NCsoft information, computer software, hardware and artwork relating to Lineage 3."

As noted by Eurogamer, this is the third conflict between Bluehole and NCsoft. Bluehole were convicted of stealing trade secrets from NCsoft in 2009, and had a civil complaint filed against them by NCsoft in 2010. Tera is currently available in Korea, but NCsoft's intent is to block the North American release and receive payment for damages incurred.

Whether there's any validity to NCsoft's copyright and confidentiality complaints will presumably be determined in court, if it's not settled prior to any official litigation. Bluehole has opted against commenting on the lawsuit.

Source: MMOCulture