First, regions are BS. At some point companies will need to realize the world is too small these days for that crap. Second, people are judging Sony on their recent history. They have made it very clear they don't give a sh!t about consumers. That's why very few people are willing to give them any sympathy.
Amused
Elite Member
- Apr 14, 2001
- 56,464
- 16,064
- 146
:::sigh:::
No, Aharami, I side with objectivity, facts and reality. Something the story in the OP is totally lacking.
It is the OP and subsequent lynch mob that displays their bias by automatically assuming Sony is evil, simply because they are a large corporation. Not to mention ignoring contractual laws and trade laws only when it suits them.
- Aug 24, 2001
- 31,796
- 2
- 0
Knowing that Lik-Sang was used by many here on ATOT I thought this was newsworthy.
What you can't argue though is that Sony literally sued Lik-Sang out of business by filing lawsuits in every European country. They weren't just content with making Lik-Sang stop...they seemed intent on putting them out of business with this tactic that they know Lik-Sang couldn't fight.
BoomerD
No Lifer
- Feb 26, 2006
- 64,039
- 12,367
- 136
http://psp.ign.com/articles/740/740825p1.html
"October 20, 2006 - When gamers want to import a game or system from a territory outside their own (usually to play games not available in their home country), they usually turn to an online retail store that offers import gaming supplies. Now European importers have one less option for nabbing a U.S. or Japanese PSP. One of the most popular import shops, Lik-Sang, has been blocked from selling PSPs to European customers.
In a statement released today, Lik-Sang says Sony has obtained a judgment from the High Court of London ruling that sales of Japanese PSPs from Lik-Sang's website to European customers is illegal. The importer says its legal representatives were not present at the hearing to argue on the company's behalf.
Game consoles have traditionally been region-specific, meaning they will only play games released in their territory; for example, a Japanese game won't play on an American PlayStation 2. The reasons companies choose to lock out other regions has always been a bit nebulous, and gamers often find it irritating.
Sony first took issue with Lik-Sang in August 2005 when European gamers were importing Japanese PSPs ahead of the system's UK launch. Sony launched a lawsuit in the High Court of Hong Kong arguing that Lik-Sang advertises Sony's products "in a dishonest manner" and "unlawfully interferes with Sony's economical interests." Sony then launched a separate lawsuit against Lik-Sang in the UK.
As Lik-Sang is a Hong Kong company, it claims it is operating within the laws of its own country. The London judge apparently believes, however, that Lik-Sang is violating European laws when doing business with European customers. In his ruling Judge Michael Fysh said, "The acts of which the complaint is made have, in my view, been perpetrated not in Hong Kong but here in the EEA, and without Sony's consent."
"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," said Pascal Clarysse, Marketing Manager of Lik-Sang.com. "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. And contrary to their claim, I don't believe they are suffering 'losses and damages' through Lik-Sang's activity."
It follows that if it's illegal to buy a PSP from Lik-Sang in Europe, it might also be made illegal to import a PlayStation 3 from the online retailer. As the PS3 isn't launching until four months after its U.S. and Japanese releases, no doubt some European gamers would consider importing a foreign system. Lik-Sang claims Sony is threatening further legal action to prevent PS3 imports. As of this writing, the website is taking PS3 pre-orders."
So, Lik-Sang was in violation of it's agreement with Sony, and didn't expect to get sued? Why do these Chinese companies seem to think that international copyright and patent laws don't apply to them?
The more that get closed down, the better IMO...no better than a bunch of corporate level theives...
"October 20, 2006 - When gamers want to import a game or system from a territory outside their own (usually to play games not available in their home country), they usually turn to an online retail store that offers import gaming supplies. Now European importers have one less option for nabbing a U.S. or Japanese PSP. One of the most popular import shops, Lik-Sang, has been blocked from selling PSPs to European customers.
In a statement released today, Lik-Sang says Sony has obtained a judgment from the High Court of London ruling that sales of Japanese PSPs from Lik-Sang's website to European customers is illegal. The importer says its legal representatives were not present at the hearing to argue on the company's behalf.
Game consoles have traditionally been region-specific, meaning they will only play games released in their territory; for example, a Japanese game won't play on an American PlayStation 2. The reasons companies choose to lock out other regions has always been a bit nebulous, and gamers often find it irritating.
Sony first took issue with Lik-Sang in August 2005 when European gamers were importing Japanese PSPs ahead of the system's UK launch. Sony launched a lawsuit in the High Court of Hong Kong arguing that Lik-Sang advertises Sony's products "in a dishonest manner" and "unlawfully interferes with Sony's economical interests." Sony then launched a separate lawsuit against Lik-Sang in the UK.
As Lik-Sang is a Hong Kong company, it claims it is operating within the laws of its own country. The London judge apparently believes, however, that Lik-Sang is violating European laws when doing business with European customers. In his ruling Judge Michael Fysh said, "The acts of which the complaint is made have, in my view, been perpetrated not in Hong Kong but here in the EEA, and without Sony's consent."
"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," said Pascal Clarysse, Marketing Manager of Lik-Sang.com. "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. And contrary to their claim, I don't believe they are suffering 'losses and damages' through Lik-Sang's activity."
It follows that if it's illegal to buy a PSP from Lik-Sang in Europe, it might also be made illegal to import a PlayStation 3 from the online retailer. As the PS3 isn't launching until four months after its U.S. and Japanese releases, no doubt some European gamers would consider importing a foreign system. Lik-Sang claims Sony is threatening further legal action to prevent PS3 imports. As of this writing, the website is taking PS3 pre-orders."
So, Lik-Sang was in violation of it's agreement with Sony, and didn't expect to get sued? Why do these Chinese companies seem to think that international copyright and patent laws don't apply to them?
The more that get closed down, the better IMO...no better than a bunch of corporate level theives...
I have some Hudson (The people that made Bomberman) manufactured SuperFamicom controllers somewhere, got a half-case of them cheap. If I stumble across them and you're interested, I will let you know.
Specop 007
Diamond Member
- Jan 31, 2005
- 9,454
- 0
- 0
The idiocy is strong in this thread, and reaches its peak with your post.
Think about what you said man. Sony CLEARLY states the terms and regulations of being a vendor. A company violates that, what the fvck do you expect to happen? It may not make you get your little fuzzies off, but the world of business isnt ran by what feels good and who likes the little vendor on the corner.
Now, I personally dont have much opinion either way. I can see it from both sides, but the end result is Sony WAS in the right. Dont violate your contractual agreements, you wont get sued.
Aharami
Lifer
- Aug 31, 2001
- 21,205
- 165
- 106
i KNOW sony is evil because my computer, like many other, was infected with their rootkit software. I bought a CD and I wanted to burn it to mp3 cuz I wanted to put it in my carputer...but i couldnt because of their rootkit. And I had to jump thru hoops to remove their software from my computer
A more balanced article, and Lik-Sang still look like saints compared to Sony. I find it somewhat damning that Sony top brass in Europe bought their PSPs through Lik-Sang several years earlier and are now condemning them because they fear the profit Lik-Sang can pull with the PS3 release dates.
- Jun 10, 2004
- 14,436
- 5,410
- 136
You know I actually liked Sony - until all the Sony stuff I had started breaking right out of warranty. PS1, Trinitron 17" CRT, cd player... I haven't bought Sony since about 2001. Now with PS3, lies, and putting little guys out of business, I will actually work against Sony by buying their arch-rivals' products. Damn you Sony.
You know what? I like Microsoft a lot better than Sony. Even if I don't like them. MS and Nintendo killing Sony off in the video game market would be sweet news to me.
You know what? I like Microsoft a lot better than Sony. Even if I don't like them. MS and Nintendo killing Sony off in the video game market would be sweet news to me.
Then you file a suit to stop them from selling the product, as Microsoft and Nintendo did to Lik Sang several years ago to prevent mod chip sales. You don't bury the company under multiple, simultaneous lawsuits with the intention of putting the company out of business. Sony may be playing by the rules (the rules they made), but it still puts them in an even worse light than they have been in for the past several years.
ViviTheMage
Lifer
As if that matters. Just like carmakers don't give a damn about enthusiasts, Sony doesn't care about hardcore gamers who import consoles and solder chips. They aren't going to lose any significant amount of business, and bad press won't hurt them one bit.
Of people factored ethics into their purchases, Wal Mart would be out of business.
Sony is the devil, we all know this (except for the corporate apolgists who ALWAYS lay the blame on the individual, not the corporate entity).
Specop 007
Diamond Member
- Jan 31, 2005
- 9,454
- 0
- 0
And you have proof Sony didnt file a cease and desist?
The simple fact is, if you violate a trade agreement or other contractual obligations you have just set your balls on the table for the people you signed a contract with to do what they please.
Sometimes they let you put your balls back in your pants, sometimes they give them a little smack, sometimes they squish them with a hammer.....In this case, Sony cut'm right off.
But ultimately Lik-Sang broke signed agreements. You can hate Sony all you want for the course of action they chose to pursue, but Lik-Sang brought this on to themselves.
Regions are good in marketing terms... why bother selling a horse racing game in the US even though it is popular in Japan when you know it won't sell. But I have yet to see a good reason why a company would want to prevent a few people in the US from importing the game. Take a look at the DS. It's not region locked and it dominates the market. IMO, clear proof that regions are pointless.
Specop 007
Diamond Member
- Jan 31, 2005
- 9,454
- 0
- 0
Right, because in your little cute cuddly world of emotional rulings legal binding contracts "dont count" when its the little guy because that just "isnt fair" and doesnt "feel right", is that it?
Maybe you should stop typing and brush op on "contract law".
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