A U.S. district court has ruled in favour of Tencent, awarding the Chinese tech giant nearly $85 million in compensation after finding Taiwan-based TV box firm Unblock Tech guilty of video content copyright infringement. The ruling marks a significant victory for Tencent in its ongoing battle against intellectual property violations.

Case Details and Infringement Claims

The lawsuit, filed by Tencent's subsidiaries—Tencent Penguin Film, Tencent Computer System, and Tencent Technology—alleged that Unblock Tech and its distributors illegally copied, distributed, and imported over 1,500 Tencent-produced shows. Among the infringed content were popular productions such as the family drama Little Days and the sci-fi hit Three Body Problem. The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas delivered its judgment on February 7, ruling in Tencent’s favour.

Tencent’s Stance on Copyright Protection

Tencent, which operates Tencent Pictures and Tencent Video, has remained steadfast in its efforts to combat copyright infringement. While the company has not yet provided a public comment on the latest ruling, industry analysts highlight the significance of the decision. 

Broader Legal Context and Tencent's Legal Actions

This case is not Tencent’s first legal battle over intellectual property rights. The company has previously sued ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok and Douyin, for alleged copyright violations in Chinese courts. However, details regarding the resolution of those cases remain undisclosed. The U.S. court ruling underscores the growing importance of international legal frameworks in protecting digital content from unauthorized distribution.

A Strong Message Against Digital Piracy

Tencent’s courtroom success serves as a strong warning to content distributors engaged in copyright infringement. With cross-border digital piracy on the rise, the case reinforces the need for global enforcement measures to safeguard creative content and intellectual property rights.

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