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Image courtesy Thisiswaiting.com
UK High Court rules that sales of Japanese PSPs to the region are illegal - expected to follow suit with the PS3

European gamers have been dealt yet another blow by Sony. After being informed that they would have to wait until March 2007 to receive the PS3, followed by being European VP Jamie MacDonald's assertation that they "didn't mind waiting" for the console, the UK High Court has granted Sony a judgement that could set a nasty precedent for those hoping to avoid the wait by buying a PS3 from another country.

The UK High Court has ruled that the online importer Lik-Sang's sales of Japanese versions of the Playstation Portable to the UK and European Economic Area are illegal. While gamers might not fret over this, it does set a rather bold precident for Sony to request a similar ruling preventing the import of their "soon to be released" (in North America and Japan) Playstation3 console. Lik-Sang's marketing manager, Pascal Clarysse, was clearly annoyed by the ruling.

"Fighting multiple lawsuits in different countries at the same time and paying high premiums to expensive lawyers is an overwhelming situation for a small company like Lik-Sang. Launching separate court actions with separate claims and different judges is completely unnecessary, except for the fact that it helps reaching one single target: outspend Lik-Sang to death. 'Pay Beyond.'"

Lik-Sang is currently exploring its legal options; but with this recent ruling against them adding to eBay's tightening restrictions on pre-order sales, European gamers may not see the Playstation3 through any channels until the official launch next spring.

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RE: Justice for the buyers
By Madellga on 10/21/2006 10:06:03 PM , Rating: 2
Consumer right to buy cheaper gods comes before business protection. That's called free market and it goes back to my first post - companies do Global Sourcing, why can't private people do the same?

Do you know what Global Sourcing is?

If you want to talk about fair competition, then we all have to stop buying Nikes, clothes and other stuff from cheaper countries. You want to protect local PS3 business (PS3 itself is made in Asia, not UK), what about the other stuff? Do you buy only Made in UK products?

Did you notice traditional manufacturing businesses moved out of country?

Why Rover went out of business? Wasn't Rover more important to UK than PS3 sales?


RE: Justice for the buyers
By crystal clear on 10/22/2006 3:32:13 AM , Rating: 2
"companies do Global Sourcing, why can't private people do the same? "
Laws of your country do not permit you-example Sony/UK courts-PS3.

"Did you notice traditional manufacturing businesses moved out of country? "

IF THE GOVT HAD OFFERED PROTECTION to local industries
Japanese style,then you would not be in a situation like
today.
Ask any American company how tough it is to operate in
Japan & enter their markets & compete there.

"Do you buy only Made in UK products? "

I wish I could I surely would,cause I want my money go to pay salaries to the citizens of UK.

Anyway I do not wish to divert from the subject.


RE: Justice for the buyers
By crystal clear on 10/22/2006 4:09:10 AM , Rating: 2
"Lik-Sang loses PSP case in High Court"

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=...


RE: Justice for the buyers
By Scott66 on 10/22/2006 3:31:07 PM , Rating: 2
There is no rights for consumers to buy cheaper goods. Businesses who become authorized retailers do have the right (given to them in their agreements) to compete with other retailers. They also have some responsibilities as well (warranties, customer service)

Importers buy from one country and sells them into another country for max profit and no worries. As long as PS3 can't be sold in Europe Lik-Sang and such destroy the level playing field. Consumers will pay too high of a price and get no support (as it should be). You then have other companies paying for the licensing fees, losing potential customers with more money than brains(and they are the customers retailers want to sell to).

If Sony says we aren't selling product in certain countries until Mar then there should be nothing sold until Mar. Sony owns the product and if they want to keep their bat and ball at home, it is their right.


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