Sony begins the dismantling of the Import Market.

[Taleran]

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

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."

damn that sucks

well Sony Gaming Empire Strikes again, now where am I to go if I get a DS and want some obscure games.

[Kenechi]

Play-Asia is better.

[RoboBlue]

Still, lik-sang was a major site. The import market can't afford another loss like this.

[Kenechi]

True, but Sony had told LS to stop what they were doing loads of times. LS had been sued by Nintendo and MS before, as well. It's not Sony's fault they are Bankrupt. Sony reseves the right to sue them.

[Taleran]

may want to re-read this part

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.

they also it seems with this one have opened the floodgates persay

[gaara d. lucci]

Wow, SOny pulled something I would've expected from EA. Still that's messed up even tho I don't order from LIk-Sang.

[Le Lawliet]

Considering that a lot of profit can come from the region freeness of the PS3, is it wise to cut off imports to the US?

[gaara d. lucci]

@yokaiforte:

Considering that a lot of profit can come from the region freeness of the PS3, is it wise to cut off imports to the US?

I don't think it was wise at all. Why even have region free if you are killing imports? Way to be total dicks Sony! Good Show (this is coming from an avid Sony fan)

[Aoi Neko]

@yokaiforte:

Considering that a lot of profit can come from the region freeness of the PS3, is it wise to cut off imports to the US?

No, because everyone would then hate Sony and import anyways.

I heard Sony fought a lot to keep people from buying imported games and such. >.>

[Jamesco]

All the more reason to hate Sony.

[warp]

^

QFT

Man I have never been so disapointed before. I didn't order from link-sang, but still.

Also if they are making ps3 reigon free why the fuck are they closing down the import sites?!

edit: Wait can't they just make it so that they cant sell to europeians anymore? Yes this sounds like a jackass move and i would hate to see everyone in europe suffer too, but…can't they still sell imports in to america.

[SereneCrimson]

I've never used Lik-Sang, I've always ordered from YesAsia..

but fuck.. Sony has just kept pissing me off lately.
and this is horrid.

Starting to cut off imports? Thats just bullshit >__<;;

I am starting to HATE Sony.. they just keep annoying me.

[Greg]

That`s so funny that they cut off what their own people used.

But…who cares?

www.torrentspy.com + DVD Burner + Swap Magic = free import

Much better than paying.

Edit:

Sony responds and makes it clear why you should never listen to one side of a story.

http://gamesarefun.com/news.php?newsid=7098

[Ubiq]

@yokaiforte:

Considering that a lot of profit can come from the region freeness of the PS3, is it wise to cut off imports to the US?

Yes, it is actually. If Sony kills off the major indepedent importers, then they can create their own in-house version.

If Lik-Sang and Playasia (who should be saying their prayers right now) are still around, then why would people buy from Sony Exports Ltd./Whatever when they can patronize a company that they've been using for years instead?

@Greg:

That`s so funny that they cut off what their own people used.

But…who cares?

www.torrentspy.com + DVD Burner + Swap Magic = free import

Much better than paying.

That attitude is a hefty part of the reason that copyright law is only going to become more stringent and less reasonable as time goes by. I would suspect that it's only a matter of time until the US, the EU, and other organizations ban programs such as BitTorrent.

[Le Lawliet]

Wow. I've never heard of Sony Exports…

[Ubiq]

@yokaiforte:

Wow. I've never heard of Sony Exports…

Well, as far as I know, it doesn't exist. Yet.

Region-free consoles give Sony the option of offering untranslated titles anywhere. If those titles prove popular overseas, then Sony can go to the trouble of localizing them and unleashing them on the general public with the reasonable assumption that it will be worthwhile. If it's not that popular, well, then they still get business from whoever ordered the import.

Honestly, there's no business reason for the PS3 to be region-free if Sony isn't going to capitalize off of it.

[Greg]

That attitude is a hefty part of the reason that copyright law is only going to become more stringent and less reasonable as time goes by. I would suspect that it's only a matter of time until the US, the EU, and other organizations ban programs such as BitTorrent.

Let them. Then the next will pop up. And the next. And the next. And the next. etc.

People will always bootleg. Lucky for us the quality has only improved as time goes by.

[TakinawaTonfa]

The only thing I ever ordered off of Lik-Sang was my Freeloader and a copy of Grand Battle Rush, but this truely sucks for people who shopped there alot.

@Greg:

Sony responds and makes it clear why you should never listen to one side of a story.

http://gamesarefun.com/news.php?newsid=7098

So, if I'm interpereting this correctly, was it that Lik-Sang didn't bother to argue their case to the High Court of London? I want to know all the details before I jump on the "I hate Sony" bandwagon.

[Le Lawliet]

Well, I don't hate Sony. I'm just wondering if this is a profitable business decision for them or not.

[Puma]

I was kinda scared for this since i hope that Play-Asia won't get the same effect and i have to order JUS somewhere else D=….. (if it will happen, at least after JUS is being released. )

PS. Lol, i almost wrote will instead of wont, it would have been another meaning XD

[--MRED--]

Lik-sang did nothing Truely illegal

more like a "Technicality" if you will

Sony was still making money off of their products sold

Hell Lik-sang didn't fall out because of what they did
They didn't get a chance to defend themselves on account of the fact that sony pilled up multiple lawsuits in DIFFERENT COUNTRIES thus rising expenses, and not a chance to even show up

it was a sneaky underhanded deed by sony

if lik-sang ACTUALLY HAD A CHANCE TO DEFEND THEMSELVES they would most likely be in business

Ahh sony, First faulty batteries, 599 US DOLLARS, And now shafting the little guy

Whats next?

Stop Europe from importing the ps3?
oh wait

Seriously sony is already in deep, with their limited units, Price, and Treatment to the customer, not to mention multiple OTHER lawsuits TOWARDS THEM

oh well

And at this rate, The chances of Sony going after play asia, might be better then you think

but lets hope not

[Vautravers]

This couldn't happen to PlayAsia. They don't export PSP games or hardware, and that was the "fault" of Lik-Sang.

What I can't understand is why they shipped all that knowing the fact that Sony would do anything they could to stop/close them for doing that.

[stephen]

I just bought a Japanese PSP game and had it shipped to America, from Play Asia.

[Vautravers]

It seems the reason is shipping to europe, and Play Asia don't ship psp's to europe.

Btw, I can remember Lik-Sang have two more pending judgments (with Microsoft and Nintendo), and they are closing cos can't afford the judgments expenses of all this. But seems they like more play the "OMG-Sony-is-evil-and-close-us" role instead of recognize they did wrong shipping to european union what they mustn't ship.

[Greg]

if lik-sang ACTUALLY HAD A CHANCE TO DEFEND THEMSELVES they would most likely be in business

Actually they did have that chance. To see what they did with that chance please read this: http://gamesarefun.com/news.php?newsid=7098

However I'm not certain I entirely understand what the response means by 'We assume the legal entity s still trading'.

Either way if you want to blame anything, blame the court. It's not Sony's decision. It's not like Sony is invincible in court. Just see the Dual Shock case.

[--MRED--]

@Greg:

Actually they did have that chance. To see what they did with that chance please read this: http://gamesarefun.com/news.php?newsid=7098

However I'm not certain I entirely understand what the response means by 'We assume the legal entity s still trading'.

Either way if you want to blame anything, blame the court. It's not Sony's decision. It's not like Sony is invincible in court. Just see the Dual Shock case.

@Vautravers:

It seems the reason is shipping to europe, and Play Asia don't ship psp's to europe.

Btw, I can remember Lik-Sang have two more pending judgments (with Microsoft and Nintendo), and they are closing cos can't afford the judgments expenses of all this. But seems they like more play the "OMG-Sony-is-evil-and-close-us" role instead of recognize they did wrong shipping to european union what they mustn't ship.

They never even went in court

So how could they defend themselves?
They were drowned out by the multiple lawsuits from sony themselves

Key word

MULTIPLE

And besides, SONY had no real reason to do this, This was not harming them, nor the industry

unlike Microsofts, or Nintendo's lawsuits that dealt with PIRACY issues

Sony, basically smuthered them with lawsuits (more then one country like stated)

Seriously There is no way to Defend sony on this, just because they used the legal system doesn't make it ethical

But yes, you're right about Sony however, they're not Fully to blame
But we all know how silly the legal system can get

But seriously this lawsuit was most unneeded

[Greg]

So how could they defend themselves?

By contesting it.

Please.

They were drowned out? How so? Legal is legal. If they were in the right they had the opportunity to say so. Again, Sony is not invincible in the courts. This has CLEARLY and embarassingly (for them) been proven.

And what a bunch of bitches they are for releasing consumer info.

I can't believe I came back today just to say this but severe lack in creativity [common sense] begs a response.

This was not harming them, nor the industry

Um, how about retailers in Europe?

Anyway, I can see the flame in your eyes and no amount of reality will hit home so it's not worth pursuing to that end. I now retreat into my shell awaiting a new chapter.

[--MRED--]

@Greg:

By contesting it.

Please.

They were drowned out? How so? Legal is legal. If they were in the right they had the opportunity to say so. Again, Sony is not invincible in the courts. This has CLEARLY and embarassingly (for them) been proven.

And what a bunch of bitches they are for releasing consumer info.

I can't believe I came back today just to say this but severe lack in creativity [common sense] begs a response.

Um, how about retailers in Europe?

Anyway, I can see the flame in your eyes and no amount of reality will hit home so it's not worth pursuing to that end. I now retreat into my shell awaiting a new chapter.

Reality?

Hi-ranking Sony employees purchased from them, So what if they realeased info about them?
Seriously, For the sake of investigation you have the RIGHT to disclose such information

its not like they gave out phone numbers, or adresses

And they're out of business now, so why even care?, least mature thing a company can do at this point, but regardless

European Retailers?

You act as if the majority of cusomers imported from lik-sang
AND "LEGAL IS LEGAL" yes, but any less underhanded?

No

OJ. simpson Got off because off because of a technicality, "LEGAL IS LEGAL?"

Seriously of course sony is going to say such things as "_If they were in the right they had the opportunity to say so",

Seriously, Legal cost would of put liksang out of business enough

And i never once stated that sony was "INVINCABLE" in courts, everybody knows about the deul shock case

This overall is hurting gamers, and will effect the import industry
and i am glad that we can have this argument without personal attacks_

Edit:sorry about the italics

Sony, Had deeper reasons for such things
it just sounds really really fishy

And i would appreciate if you Did not say such things about "COMMON SENSE" because its really ironic

Because saying what sony Did was not Shady?
Then criticizing about Common sense?
Unless i Mis-read something in your post

And leaving an argument?, C'mon, the points you offered were Great
Sorry if i sound Angry, but i am just posting in my point of view

but if you want to drop this argument thats fine with me

[Vautravers]

Of course they never went in court: that are pending judgements

I can imagine (in my ignorance ) a reason. The europeans are paying the cheap systems from all around the world LOL.

Look at the prices:

In europe, a PSP is worth in 282,33$ , 224,99€. In some shops you can find it slighty cheaper, but you can't have faith in that, and the most cheap is 199€ (249,7$)

In Usa, the same PSP is worth in 199,99$ (50$ cheaper than europe).

And finally, in Lik-Sang we can find the same prizes we saw in Usa.

In the other side, it seems like Lik-Sang want more problems, because saying this little thing…

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. … could be seen like "privacy violation" :ermm:

[--MRED--]

@Vautravers:

In the other side, it seems like Lik-Sang want more problems, because saying this little thing…

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. … could be seen like "privacy violation" :ermm:

Well yes, im not really saying it was a smart action but, Since Sony is slapping lawsuits on them, and they only revealed Sony employees

maybe such disclosure can be used for investigation
Im not sure how that works

[RoboBlue]

hm… I know sony isn't being entirely honest, but I can't deny that lik-sang was a little childish in that statement on their site, and that the release of private information could be considered unethical, if not outright illegal.

[Cap'n Carter]

The reason this won't happen to Play-Asia: THEY STOPPED SHIPPING PSPS WHEN SONY ASKED THEM TO.