BBC: Sony to 'block PS3 Euro imports'

[JoeBananas]

Sony really are doing such a good PR job over here! :eek:

With the european launch possibly being put back to November 2007, due to shortages in Japan and the US - Its like they don't want us to have the PS3 in Europe! Well thats fine cause I'm very happy with my 360, and have been for nearly a year now.

[EnlightenedPixel]

Makes sense, they have to fill their main starter markets first, and having PS3's dissapear to other contanents isnt going to help.

[Qslugs]

I wonder if it has anything to do with warranty laws over there. As in the rest of the world beta tests for Europe cause they have a longer warranty. I dont think the European market is any less important than the rest of the planet.

[EnlightenedPixel]

I wonder if it has anything to do with warranty laws over there. As in the rest of the world beta tests for Europe cause they have a longer warranty. I dont think the European market is any less important than the rest of the planet.

Sort of like how people complain to a contest provider they cant enter a sertain contest because they live in specific country's, without finding out their own country is actualy the ones that prohibit them from entering the contest?

[Greentea|]

It makes sense from a capitalist point of view yes, Sony obviously do not want the European market to able to buy their PS3s for a cheaper price than the outrageously marked up cost.
How else will they make their gains on a system which costs more to develop than they have brain cells at Sony corp.
The Australian market is in the same plight, we too must take what we are given even if it is a $1000aud+ price tag and who knows when these units will even reach us.

Their recent remarks and ideas have not been winning any support over here at all, looks like Christmas 2006 will be between the Xbox360 and the Wii with no sight of the PS3 on the horizon.
I may even sit this generation out and not buy any consoles, Nintendo dissapointed me quite alot when they said their Wii is going to be region locked. Australia tends to get left high and dry on the most interesting game titles to come out of Japan.

Sort of like how people complain to a contest provider they cant enter a sertain contest because they live in specific country's, without finding out their own country is actualy the ones that prohibit them from entering the contest?

Actually the country allows them to participate they just have the nerve to tax compeition prizes. It was the case with the recent Blizzard contest, they didnt want to pay Tax on the prizes so they just exluded those countries.

[EnlightenedPixel]

It makes sense from a capitalist point of view yes, Sony obviously do not want the European market to able to buy their PS3s for a cheaper price than the outrageously marked up cost.
How else will they make their gains on a system which costs more to develop than they have brain cells at Sony corp.
The Australian market is in the same plight, we too must take what we are given even if it is a $1000aud+ price tag and who knows when these units will even reach us.

Hm, I could have sworn that someone here had explained AU gets charged more because of import taxes and the monitary exchange rates and the like.

"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_3"
Yeah, AUS probably pays $80US more due to taxes. Still, Im wondering much much spare cash a gamer in AU has compared to a gamer in the USA. Cant expect people to all pay the same price, but then, thats what Region locking was for. The BlueRay drive isnt region locked.. so that causes somewhat of an issue with pricing I suppose.

[EnlightenedPixel]

Actually the country allows them to participate they just have the nerve to tax compeition prizes. It was the case with the recent Blizzard contest, they didnt want to pay Tax on the prizes so they just exluded those countries.

So its Blizzards fault they would get taxed differently by other countrys, and its Sony's fault $1aus is worth nearly 40% less than $1us?.

[Greentea|]

So its Blizzards fault they would get taxed differently by other countrys, and its Sony's fault $1aus is worth nearly 40% less than $1us?.

Huh? Did i say that?
Its Sonys fault for asking too much for a console in the first place.

[EnlightenedPixel]

Huh? Did i say that?
Its Sonys fault for asking too much for a console in the first place.
Yeah, because when its all said and done theres realy a huge difference after buying addons for HDvideo and 12 games for each.:rolleyes:

[RuinedMessiah]

*sigh*

First off, this isn't exactly a new move by Sony, or Nintendo, or Microsoft for that matter. Companies just don't want consoles leaving their intended regions. Why? Well, because your average consumer is a dumbass. Seriously. Work tech support sometime. And just because you spend money to import a game console doesn't exactly make you smart. You know how often I've gotten complaints selling import games because "Jump Superstars isn't in English?" Who's to say someone isn't gonna plug that brand new PS3 into a plug convertor without stepping down the ampage and then expect Sony to foot the bill for their dumbassery?

Second, yes... it's expensive. Let's move on from this arguement, shall we?

[Squash-n-Stretch]

First off, this isn't exactly a new move by Sony, or Nintendo, or Microsoft for that matter.


QFA. I don't agree with it, but everyone can see their point of you.

Let's just all take this as a new item and bedone with it, and not allow it to become another thread slating the Playstation 3. I have asked Robert not to post threads like this, but I think he's a bit of a PS-hateboy too ;P

[RockinAkin]

So does this stop anyone in Europe from buying one off Ebay in november and just getting it shipped over?

[EnlightenedPixel]

So does this stop anyone in Europe from buying one off Ebay in november and just getting it shipped over?

I dont see how unless the people behind the xray scanner have a list of items theyre not allowed to be put through the system and know what they look like.

[DoubleSupercool]

"The spokesman said: "Ultimately, we're trying to protect consumers from being sold hardware that does not conform to strict EU or UK consumer safety standards."

*sniff* . . . It's just so beautiful that Sony cares so much about my health and safety . . . *honk* :love:

[EpShot]

so, then are the ones in the US going to blow up or something?

[thoughtlesswhisper]

I have asked Robert not to post threads like this

and why would anyone listen to you? especially roberto. some ego you have there.

[EnlightenedPixel]

so, then are the ones in the US going to blow up or something?

Well they dont have the faulty batteries in them. So its hard to immagine what could actualy happen. I suppose if the BlueRay drive spins too fast it could launch a killer disc at some poor consumer's neck... Ok, so thats a wee bit out there in the land of make believe. And honestly their explination sounds a bit far fetched unless the UK has some other Regulations that the PS3 would have to adhere to in order to be shipped, like, a compatable plug and or powersupply, etc.

I think its safer for them to flat out state " We only have so many, we have to provide to the main consumers first, then spread out afterwards... like we and everyone else does every time one of these is released."

[UrbanFuturistic]

Well, if we're not going to allow threads like this, then I guess we should ban threads on Nintendo introducing regions to the Wii or their not using proper rechargeable betteries in the Wiimotes and, well, just about half the stuff Microsoft ever does (and those dodgy 360 overheating issues). Fortunately, criticising a company for acting like a bunch of chunder monkeys has not been banned on these forums.

Of course, no-one has yet pointed out the obvious reason Sony are doing this: they're control freaks. Mini-Disk? Atrac? Blu-Ray DRM? Absolutely 100% obsessed with being in complete control.

[EnlightenedPixel]

DRM is actualy forced upon media like BlueRay and HD-DVD, they dont have much of a choice in that sector. If they want to distribute movies on it, they have to put the required DRM on it because Hollywood says so.

[RuinedMessiah]

Whether many will agree or not, it's primarily Sony being a bunch of greedy dicks. Just like PSP.

PS3 will be cheaper in the US and provided you don't hate slow shipping, the savings are still valid even after importing. Added to this "issue" is the fact that PS3 is, indeed, region-free. Games, on average, are the cheapest in the US as well. So yes, I can see how a company would want to discourage importing the console. But I do hope they stick to region free claim on the software. Those poor Europian gamers suffer enough without having to wait until 1 1/2 years after the US just to play White Knight Story or Final Fantasy XIII.

[RuinedMessiah]

And Sony just killed Lik-sang....

Let the mass order migration begin!
http://image3.play-asia.com/shop/en/n_l1.gif
http://www.play-asia.com/

[ParamountCell]

Important Notice: Lik-Sang.com Out of Business due to Multiple Sony Lawsuits
http://image.lik-sang.com/pixel_red.gifTue Oct 24 2006 21:58:51 Hong Kong Time - Corporate Info

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - OUT OF BUSINESS NOTICE

Hong Kong, October 24th of 2006 - Lik-Sang.com, the popular gaming retailer from Hong Kong, has today announced that it is forced to close down due to multiple legal actions brought against it by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Sony claimed that Lik-Sang infringed its trade marks, copyright and registered design rights by selling Sony PSP consoles from Asia to European customers, and have recently obtained a judgment in the High Court of London (England) rendering Lik-Sang's sales of PSP consoles unlawful.

As of today, Lik-Sang.com will not be in the position to accept any new orders and will cancel and refund all existing orders that have already been placed. Furthermore, Lik-Sang is working closely with banks and PayPal to refund any store credits held by the company, and the customer support department is taking care of any open transactions such as pending RMAs or repairs and shipping related matters. The staff of Lik-Sang will make sure that nobody will get hurt in the crossfire of this ordeal.

A Sony spokesperson declined to comment directly on the lawsuit against Lik-Sang, but recently went on to tell Gamesindustry.biz that "ultimately, we're trying to protect consumers from being sold hardware that does not conform to strict EU or UK consumer safety standards, due to voltage supply differences et cetera; is not - in PS3's case - backwards compatible with either PS1 or PS2 software; will not play European Blu-Ray movies or DVDs; and will not be covered by warranty".

Lik Sang strongly disagrees with Sony's opinion that their customers need this kind of protection and pointed out that PSP consoles shipped from Lik-Sang contained genuine Sony 100V-240V AC Adapters that carry CE and other safety marks and are compatible world wide. All PSP consoles were in conformity with all EU and UK consumer safety regulations.

Furthermore, Sony have failed to disclose to the London High Court that not only the world wide gaming community in more than 100 countries relied on Lik-Sang for their gaming needs, but also Sony Europe's very own top directors repeatedly got their Sony PSP hard or software imports in nicely packed Lik-Sang parcels with free Lik-Sang Mugs or Lik-Sang Badge Holders, starting just two days after Japan's official release, as early as 14th of December 2004 (more than nine months earlier than the legal action). The list of PSP related Sony Europe orders reads like the who's who of the videogames industry, and includes Ray Maguire (Managing Director, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd), Alan Duncan (UK Marketing Director, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd), Chris Sorrell (Creative Director, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd), Rob Parkin (Development Director, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited), just to name a few.

"Today is Sony Europe victory about PSP, tomorrow is Sony Europe’s ongoing pressure about PlayStation 3. With this precedent set, next week could already be the stage for complaints from Sony America about the same thing, or from other console manufacturers about other consoles to other regions, or even from any publisher about any specific software title to any country they don’t see fit. It’s the beginning of the end... of the World as we know it", stated Pascal Clarysse, formerly known as the Marketing Manager of Lik-Sang.com.

"Blame it on Sony. That's the latest dark spot in their shameful track record as gaming industry leader. The Empire finally 'won', few dominating retailers from the UK probably will rejoice the news, but everybody else in the gaming world lost something today.":sad:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.lik-sang.com/news.php?artc=3901


man this is really sad, I must say, Lik-Sang was one of those sites that i really could trust to deliver my gaming needs.

[heavyness]

Important Notice: Lik-Sang.com Out of Business due to Multiple Sony Lawsuits
http://image.lik-sang.com/pixel_red.gifTue Oct 24 2006 21:58:51 Hong Kong Time - Corporate Info

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - OUT OF BUSINESS NOTICE


very sad news. they were a great site and you could get a lot of cool game related stuff from them. sad Sony sued them seperatly in every European country, forceing them to get seperate lawyers and court costs for every country. they had to close up shop, they don't have that kind of money.

[RuinedMessiah]

this message killed

[DoubleSupercool]

I must say that Sony's public relations plan over the last 2 years or so has so has certainly been "interesting".

[Solothores]

interesting, so corporations using globalisation for cheaper production in foreign markets is called a valid business strategy, but globalisation playing out for customers by enabling them to purchase in foreign markets can be lawfully prohibited...

[DoubleSupercool]

interesting, so corporations using globalisation for cheaper production in foreign markets is called a valid business strategy, but globalisation playing out for customers by enabling them to purchase in foreign markets can be lawfully prohibited...

GUARDS!! SEIZE HIM!! He's joining the dots!

You need to stop thinking so much and asking questions . . . your life will be much easier ;)

[parallax]

I can buy whatever i want. There is no law stopping me from importing PS3's, not that i'm interested, but i would laugh them out of the courtroom.

[danshewan]

There is no law stopping me from importing PS3's, not that i'm interested, but i would laugh them out of the courtroom.

Wrong. Since the Netherlands is part of the EU (and by default, the EEA - see below), this legislation does cover the Netherlands, therefore there is a law making this illegal in Holland.

"Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) have obtained a High Court judgment in the UK against online importer Lik-Sang.com, ruling that sales of the Japanese version of the PSP console to the UK and European Economic Area (EEA) are unlawful."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Economic_Area

"The current members of the EEA, contracting parties, are three of the four EFTA states - Iceland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iceland), Liechtenstein (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liechtenstein) and Norway (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norway), without Switzerland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switzerland) - and the 25 EU Member States (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Member_States) along with the European Community (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Community)."

[rakmaya]

I can buy whatever i want. There is no law stopping me from importing PS3's, not that i'm interested, but i would laugh them out of the courtroom.

You do have the right to pay for anything you want, but it doesn't mean you gona get the stuff you ordered. You cannot buy and sell whatever you want to and from any country you want. There are laws are regulations regarding duties, customs etc... in many countries that has to approve or your package will be sitting in the middle of the transport.

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