Sony Sics Lawyers on PSP Importers

Company explains its side of the story, rubbishes trademark claims from online retailer.

Sony has stepped up its drive to stop so-called parallel imports of PSPs from Asia and North America. The company has already sent out thousands of letters, asking retailers to stop selling the handheld and it is going after major sellers on auction sites such as eBay.

Reeves says Sony is looking out for its customers
and looking after its brand

But the company said this shouldn't have the ogreish connotations currently attached to it. Speaking exclusively to Kikizo, David Reeves, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, said that, while the launch delay was caused by PSP shortages, the crackdown is being done in the best interests of local customers.

"If you buy a PSP, at the moment we simply do not have the resources to repair it, we are not capable of doing that, and we don't think that's fair on the consumer," said Reeves.

He added that Sony is prepared to defend its actions in court if that's required.

"What we have done we believe is fair right the way across the board, and we will take this to the highest court we need to."

Reeves also rubbished earlier reports that questioned whether Sony owned the necessary trademarks in the UK.

"We do own the PSP name in the UK," Reeves said in response to earlier accusations from Dan Morelle, CEO of online retailer ElectricBirdLand, one of the retailers affected by Sony's campaign.

The PSP will be released in Europe on 1 September.

Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games