miHoYo, the Chinese developer behind Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero, has announced what it says is China’s first criminal conviction involving video game leaks under the country’s updated judicial guidelines. The company revealed that two users on the Chinese video platform Bilibili were found guilty of copyright infringement after sharing unreleased game content.
According to miHoYo’s legal team, the first-instance trial took place on April 24, with both defendants receiving suspended prison sentences of one year and two months and one year, respectively.
Investigators found that the two individuals had uploaded unreleased characters, abilities, and gameplay footage from Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero beginning in July 2025. The leaked videos reportedly accumulated more than 600,000 views on Bilibili.
Commenting on the ruling, miHoYo stated,
“Unauthorized disclosure of unreleased content not only infringes on the company’s copyrights but also robs players of the anticipation they deserve.”
The company added that it will continue taking legal action against individuals who distribute confidential game materials without authorization.
The decision marks a significant legal milestone for China’s gaming industry as publishers increasingly move to combat leaks ahead of official game updates.
| Release Date | September 27, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Platforms | PC, iOS, Android |
| Developer | HoYoverse |
