Core Viewpoint - The sponsorship of Chinese DOTA teams by Lilith's game "Small Ice Ice Legend" signifies a deeper commitment to the esports ecosystem, transcending mere commercial interests [1][7]. Group 1: Sponsorship and Support - "Small Ice Ice Legend" has previously sponsored four Chinese DOTA2 clubs for the Riyadh Masters, demonstrating ongoing support for the Chinese DOTA2 training system [2][3]. - The game has announced sponsorship for the YB team, which is self-funded, as well as for the DOTA16 league finals, indicating a proactive approach to nurturing the esports community [1][12]. Group 2: Historical Context and Impact - "Small Ice Ice Legend," originally known as "Dota Legend," launched in July 2014 and achieved significant success, generating over 2.16 billion in revenue within six months [5]. - The game faced copyright disputes with Blizzard and Valve, leading to a name change and a substantial settlement, highlighting the importance of intellectual property in the gaming industry [5][7]. Group 3: Current Challenges in DOTA2 - The DOTA2 scene in China is experiencing a decline, marked by talent loss and reduced sponsorship, with TI prize pools dropping from 40 million in 2021 to just 2.6 million for TI13 in 2024 [8][10]. - The lack of stable sponsorship and the operational challenges faced by clubs, such as LGD, indicate a critical need for revitalization in the DOTA2 ecosystem [10][11]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The revival of "Small Ice Ice Legend" through the launch of a nostalgic version has garnered positive player feedback, suggesting potential for a resurgence in both the game and the DOTA2 scene [5][7]. - The commitment from "Small Ice Ice Legend" to support the esports community reflects a belief in the eventual revival of Chinese DOTA2, as expressed by the game's team [13].

Core Viewpoint - The LABUBU brand has gained significant popularity, evidenced by a recent auction where 48 LABUBU artworks sold for a total of 3.73 million yuan, highlighting its status as a valuable IP [2] Group 1: Market Demand and Trends - The LABUBU brand is experiencing high demand, with official channels unable to meet supply, leading to the emergence of counterfeit products [5] - Similar IPs such as "Lagogo," "Lafufu," and "Lababa" have started appearing in the market, indicating a trend of imitation driven by LABUBU's success [4] - In Shenzhen, various merchants have introduced LABUBU-themed gold jewelry, priced affordably, which has become popular among young consumers [12][13] Group 2: Counterfeit Concerns - Counterfeit products like "Lafufu" have been criticized for poor quality, with issues such as asymmetrical features and lack of mobility [7] - Merchants selling gold versions of LABUBU claim their products are not exact replicas, raising questions about potential copyright infringement [15] - The official LABUBU brand has not authorized any gold jewelry production, and any such products may be considered counterfeit [15] Group 3: Legal Implications - Unauthorized production and sale of LABUBU-themed items may infringe on the copyright held by the brand, allowing for legal action against infringing parties [17] - If the LABUBU design is trademarked, using similar branding could lead to trademark infringement claims [18] - Serious violations could result in civil liabilities and administrative penalties from market regulators [19][20]