According to information from Shanghai's court website, Chinese online game operator The9 is targeting the American game developer Blizzard Entertainment in two lawsuits which involve property loss compensation and commercial defamation, respectively.
While the court's website at Hshfy.sh.cn shows the cases will soon be heard, and a representative from The9 has confirmed the news to local media, the representative also states the company does not allow further commenting on this issue.
Public information shows that the property loss compensation lawsuit has been accepted by Shanghai Pudong People's Court and will be heard at 13:45 on June 18, 2009. The commercial defamation lawsuit has been accepted by Shanghai No.1 Intermediate People's Court and will be heard at 14:00 on July 18, 2009.
In April this year, Blizzard Entertainment announced that it would not renew its operating contract on the World of Warcraft game with The9. Instead, the company is planning to cooperate with another Chinese online game operator, NetEase.com. Because the revenue from World of Warcraft accounts for a major part of The9's total revenue, the termination of cooperation between Blizzard Entertainment and The9 will potentially bring a great negative impact to The9.