Earlier in the month, Engadget posted leaked photographs of what was claimed to be a new slimmed down version of the PlayStation 3 from a factory somewhere in China. The photographs are grainy and you would naturally doubt if the pictures were legitimate.

In an interesting twist, a Chinese company has sent Engadget a takedown notice demanding the pictures be taken down. They were also instructed to keep quiet about the fact they had received a takedown notice. Engadget reacted quickly, posting the contents of the takedown notice on their site for the world to see. Images of the rumored slim PlayStation 3 are still viewable as well.

Although the take down notice was not from Sony, Engadget points out threatening takedown notices for leaked photographs only help to legitimize those photographs.

More recently, Ars Technica’s insider at Sony also confirmed the release of a slim PlayStation 3 is likely in August or September. The Ars Technica article points out the slimmed down version of the PlayStation 3 will most likely not be announced at E3 as Sony is waiting for current generation PlayStation 3s sitting on store shelves to be all sold off first.

The insider also confirmed the upcoming PlayStation Portable with no UMD drive will be officially revealed at E3.