James Delahunty
25 Jun 2005 11:02
Sony has dismissed many rumours started by British news sources that the company is requesting customer information from online sellers to try to track and confiscate PSP (Playstation Portable) devices sold to the United Kingdom before September 1st, when the device is due to be released in Europe. The company has launched its own battle against retailers in the UK that are importing PSP devices from Japan and the United States where it has already been on sale for months.
"We are fully aware of the gray market situation and we are trying to address the problem," Sony's president of consumer sales, Stan Glasgow, told CNET News.com, "but I seriously doubt that Sony would pursue any criminal action against individuals. It's just something that we wouldn't do." Meanwhile some retailers in the UK are ignoring threats by Sony, saying that they are simply selling the PSP which is more than Sony has done for UK customers. The European launch of the PSP console was delayed by months so that enough PSPs would be available for the U.S. market.
The company is going to court on Monday to ask for an injunction against companies that are selling the PSP and accessories early. Sony has also issued about 600 letters to individuals and companies telling them to stop selling PSPs on eBay. Customers in the UK have shown they are willing to pay extra for the console than it's worth. Originally Sony's battle against these sales shocked many companies, as the company never really had a problem with importing in the past.
Source:
News.com