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Maddox is "tired of Sony's bullshit"
The Best Page in the Universe has left its four-month slumber for a rant against Sony. His hatred seems to come from Sony's lawsuit that led to the closure of Lik-Sang. Here's what he has to say: "Sony is suing to prevent people from selling PSPs? Great move, morons! Because if there's anything Sony needs right now, it's fewer people buying PSPs."In typical Maddox fashion, he has nothing kind to say about Sony and its PSP. "Sony would love nothing more than to see you and your family suffer. Sony is like that psycho-ex who you had a few good times with, but was too clingy and the sex got boring. Now it's over and Sony is still stewing about it by leaving you voice mail asking for another chance and promising it "can change."Feel free to send your hate mail to: maddox@xmission.com. Or, buy his book.[Via Joystiq]
Sony's Marketing SVP Peter Dille gets grille-d
Engadget has posted an interview with Sony Computer Entertainment's SVP of Marketing, Peter Dille. He's only been back with Sony for the past six months, coming aboard right at the start of E3, the equivalent of being dropped behind enemy lines without a map.They don't pull any punches with the questions, asking him about the declining PS3 launch numbers (Dille fails to nail down a figure), the UMD format, and the never-ending saga of "true HD." While a lot of his answers are standard PR responses (hey, he's a PR guy -- he probably talks like that at home), he's also honest about the things he knows about, and what he's unsure of. Of particular note is that the PS3 will upscale DVDs to 1080p, something that Microsoft had announced the HD-DVD player would do for non-native HD DVDs. He also addresses the lack of rumble in the SIXAXIS controller, saying "I was talking to Phil Harrison about recently is the weight of the controller is now so much lighter that you almost forget that you have it. And again, it's bringing you one step closer to the game." What, by making you forget you're holding a controller? While the PS3 controller is definitely light, it's not like a feather resting in your hands.On the issue of not including an HD cable with the PS3, he claims that's to give "flexibility and choice, based on how they want to use the system in their home." Not to make us have to buy one more thing from Sony? Color us suspect. As much as they push 1080p, Blu-Ray, and "true HD," you think they'd be handing the cables out like candy. We want to be able to go HD right out of the box. As far as having a VGA cable with the PS3? "I have to get back with you on that one. Not sure."We applaud his honest answers (although we would have liked more info about the Lik-Sang litigation) and feel for the guy. They're trying to get this lumbering beast off the ground and not get stuck with a Spruce Goose.
Lik-Sang phishing scam
Trick or treat. It appears that some internet scammers are trying to cash in on Lik-Sang's recent closure. PSP Hacks reports that a very legitimate-looking e-mail is being sent around: 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... Our records indicates you can retrieve an additional $ 9,99 USD refund in your PayPal account. In order to successfully retrieve the refund please confirm your existing PayPal account on this page... The links provided may look normal, but they'll lead you a phishing trap, where they'll steal your PayPal account info. Ouch. That's uncool. Of course, you could stay theoretically protected from pages like this by switching over to the new Internet Explorer 7 or Firefox 2.
Play-Asia quietly cancels PS3 pre-orders to Europe
Not wanting to tempt fate, Play-Asia has backed out of PlayStation 3 pre-orders destined for European territories. The online import specialist emailed this brief explanation to customers today:"We regret to inform you that due to licensing and distribution limitations, Play-Asia.com will not be able to send PlayStation3 branded products to your territory."Play-Asia's pre-orders for PS3 launch titles and accessories have also been "closed." Pro-G notes that other import sites are taking the same precautions, with YesAsia clearly noting: "PS3 will not be shipped to any countries in the European Union (EU)."
Lik-sang responds: Sony "marched all over us"
On Tuesday, popular game importer Lik-sang announced that they were being forced to shut down due to expenses incurred fighting multiple lawsuits from Sony. Sony quickly went into damage control mode, telling GamesIndustry.biz that the legal battle had nothing to do with the site's closure and accusing the online retailer of "sour grapes." Today, Lik-Sang Marketing Manager Pascal Clarysse answered back, telling Joystiq that Sony has "marched all over us." Among the claims made in Clarysse's letter: Although Lik-sang did not end up contesting the London suit, the retailer spent significant time and money arguing over the London High Court's jurisdiction before the case came to court. Now that the London case has been decided, Lik-sang has been ordered to pay Sony's legal fees of 100,000 GBP ($187,140) by Nov. 1. The ongoing cost of the Hong Kong case is forcing Lik-Sang to pay for hundreds of hours of legal work at roughly 380 GBP ($711) per hour, not including clerks and assistants. Clarysse was also incredulous of court statements that Sony Europe 'became aware' of Lik-sang's importing business in March 2005, given that three of the firm's directors had ordered and received PSPs from the site more than six months beforehand.This may well be the last we hear from the company on the matter for a while, as Clarysse said his contract and those of his colleagues had been terminated. We can only hope that everyone who has been impacted by this state of affairs lands on their feet.
Lik-Sang, you will be missed. Sony flexes its muscles
The import junkies all know that Lik-Sang has been closed down thanks to multiple Sony lawsuits concerning sales across continents (mainly Europe) that break Trade Mark laws. Sales of the PSP. Yes, the PSP. You'd think Sony would love to let those puppies sell. But you know, you really have to wonder how much anti-Sony propaganda this creates. Just look at this quote from the press release: "The company is currently looking into available options to combat Sony's cynical attempt to disrupt the successful online business again, gain total market control, and garner publicity." Wow, now that's a slap in the face. Sony didn't rule in Sony's favor. Europe did. If Sony thought it was wrong, that's one thing (because really, it makes no sense), but if the judges of Europe deemed it wrong, then, well, perhaps Europe has a much stricter policy than we know. Heck, Lik-Sang "professional" representatives call Sony "The Empire". They may have a great website, but come on, you can give Play-Asia a shot. And Lik-Sang, don't name names (near the bottom of the article, gents). We're not in the second grade. We don't care who bought what from you that works for Sony. Like we said -- they didn't rule against you. Europe did. While Sony did indeed file for the suit, which was a pretty lame move (even though I've never bought any import items -- don't really need to), it was the UK that ruled in their favor. Pretty soon, we're sure Lik-Sang will reopen for trade between America and Asia, but somehow filter out Europe. A shame, really, but Sony hasn't been all that kind to Europe lately anyway. In all, for shame, Sony. But just a little. This isn't a very good day for import gamers, but for everyone else, it's easy to shrug it off. And, really, Sony had to sue someone. They were sick of being on the receiving end -- wanted to reverse roles for once. It's a joke. Don't hate.Oh! Have another taste of this news here. Now that's spin. Also makes Lik-Sang look like a bunch of blubbering crybabies.
Sony accuses Lik-Sang of "sour grapes"
In other news from our favorite Japanese corporate giant, Sony is denying that its legal action was the reason that Lik-Sang was forced to close its virtual doors earlier today. According to GamesIndustry.biz, Sony has accused the Hong Kong-based retailer of "sour grapes," pointing out that Lik-Sang did not contest the UK legal battle, "and therefore incurred no legal costs." That seems pretty fair, given that Lik-Sang had a pretty borderline business model to begin with. In related news, Sony also claimed that the reason why several Sony Europe execs bought PSPs from Lik-Sang was for "investigatory purposes," and certainly not because they were impatient.
Sony lawsuits force Lik-Sang to close up shop [update 1]
The venerable Hong Kong-based import shop, Lik-Sang, has posted a lengthy, angry "Out of Business Notice" on their website citing multiple Sony lawsuits as the cause for their collapse. Sony originally brought actions against Lik-Sang last August for exporting PSPs to the UK before the release of the console there. Just last week a high court judge in London ruled that the sales were illegal in Europe and blocked them, even though Lik-Sang argued they broke no Hong Kong laws. Last week, Pascal Clarysse, Marketing Manager of Lik-Sang.com argued, "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. 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." Apparently, those lawsuits, and the realization they would be unable to sell Sony products to Europe, was enough to jeopardize the profitability of the shop. In a final lashing out against their extermination, this morning's release even lists several notable European Sony executives who've made "PSP related" purchases from Lik-Sang in the past. Whoops!Now, before we all grab our trusty -- and narratively convenient -- pitchforks and torches and storm Castle Sony looking for a monster, let's remember that Sony was only protecting what it said it would and what it apparently (according to a London high court judge at least) has a legal right to. Were the "separate court actions with separate claims and different judges" really designed to exterminate one of the internet's most popular gaming import retailers? Perhaps. It's hard to be certain when emotions and business are so tightly interwoven, but we can be certain of one thing: Sony didn't need the negative press this is gonna earn them.... okay ... go![Update: Sony has issued a response to GamesIndustry.biz denying responsibility for closure of the popular online shop, alleging "sour grapes" on Lik-Sang's part. Basically, since they didn't show up to contest the case in London, therefore incurring no costs, and haven't paid the amount awarded to Sony, there is little reason -- save for the anticipated losses due to an inability to sell Sony products to Europe in the future -- that Lik-Sang should have been forced to fold. Something sounds fishy here, but we're not experts in international trade. The rabbit hole goes deeper.][Thanks to everyone who sent this in! Seriously, there were dozens.]
Lik-Sang goes out of business, tells their side of story [Update 1]
It was just a few days ago that popular import gaming site, Lik-Sang, was rocked by a judge's ruling that it could no longer sell Sony's systems out of region. Now, Lik-Sang is giving their side of the story.Lik-Sang said, "Hong Kong's laws are clear when it comes to parallel trade, and the company has no ties whatsoever with the UK." However, ruling Judge Michael Fysh saw things differently by saying "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."[Update: Lik-Sang has officially closed its doors. Here's an excerpt from the press release:"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."Lik-Sang notes that many individuals of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe received their PSPs via a Lik-Sang import:"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."][Update: Sony denies responsibility for the closure, according to GI.biz: "Lik-Sang did not contest this case (i.e. they did not turn up and therefore incurred no legal costs). We have been awarded substantial costs against Lik-Sang which have not been paid... The purchasing of PSP consoles by SCE employees would be for investigatory purposes. We would also like to express our surprise at a company releasing personal information about its consumers." +1 Sony, -1 Gamers]
Lik-Sang.com shut down by Sony lawsuits
Dear Lik-Sang.com,We hear your recent legal spat with Sony Computer Entertainment has ended your long and glorious run as grey market importer of choice, sapping both your resources and potential revenue streams. You were always there for us when we needed a DS lite before it hit the States, or a Japan-only karaoke-based cooking game that might've otherwise never made its way into our hands, and we're sorry to see you taken down by "The Empire" in such a dramatic fashion. If it's any consolation, it looks like the very Sony Europe execs that just busted you for supposedly infringing on their "trade marks, copyright and registered design rights," won't be able to import whatever fancy consoles Sony Japan busts out next, since most of 'em got their PSPs via you last time around. But of course, Europeans really "don't mind" waiting for Sony products, so maybe the point is moot. Anyways, you will be missed Lik-Sang, but never forgotten -- also, would you mind hooking us up with some Pokemon Diamond on your way out?Thanks,Engadget[Thanks, Mark A.]
Sony wins grey importing case against Lik-Sang
Sony has just laid the proverbial smackdown on the popular import retailer Lik-Sang by winning a court case that ruled the website was in breach of Sony's intellectual property rights by grey importing its products. Grey importing is importing a product into a country without the manufacturer's consent.Lik-Sang, which sells Japanese PSPs to consumers through its website, argued it did not break the law since they're located in Hong Kong and "has no trading presence in the Uk or European Economic Area," according to Gamesindustry.biz."The law is clear; grey importing PS2, PSP or PS3 into the EU, without the express permission of SCE is illegal. Therefore, we will utilise the full scope of the law to put a stop to any retailers who chose to do this," a Sony spokeperson told GI.biz. "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."Wow, check out Sony going to bat for our safety! To be perfectly honest, I'm torn between whether this is a good thing or a bad thing for us consumers. On one hand, it's great to be able to buy those cool Japanese PSPs and other hardware that aren't available in the States, but on the other, it does protect consumers from retailers jacking up the price of imported hardware.[Via DCEmu]
Lik-Sang busted for grey market imports, European fanboys weep
In a move that could have serious repercussions for gamers worldwide, the UK High Court has ruled that noted Hong Kong-based electronics exporter Lik-Sang is in violation of Sony's intellectual property rights when it sells the company's hardware inside the European Economic Area. As many of you know, Lik-Sang has been a primary source for hard-to-find foreign gadgets, exporting such products as Nintendo's DS Lite weeks or months before they launch in the rest of the world. Sony claims that it will continue to pursue grey market importers under the guise of "protecting consumers" from gear that doesn't conform to local safety standards, electrical voltages, and software encoding, even though it would seem that most people purchasing these goods are fully aware of what they're getting into. This development should be especially troubling to European gamers, who may have been hoping to snatch up a PS3 several months before the scheduled rollout there; now, exporters will likely be more wary of shipping consoles to Europe in light of this legal precedent. On a completely separate note, Engadget has recently secured 1,000 PS3 units and a small plane to smuggle them overseas, where we'll be selling them out of the back of a Land Rover on a first come, first served basis for €10,000 apiece (component and HDMI cables not included).[Via Gamesindustry.biz]
Lik-sang offering Wii pre-preorders
If you simply can't wait for an official price/date announcement from Nintendo before you reserve your Wii, Lik-sang has got an odd offer for you. Gamers can head over to their Nintendo Wii page and register their interest in the system for no money down. Once the system's launch details are in place, Lik-sang will confirm the reservations in the order they were received. Think of it as a pre-preorder -- a reserved spot in the line before the line.Since they're not asking for money and you can cancel anytime, worried gamers have nothing to lose by putting their names in. Still, we can't help but think that waiting two more days will open up real pre-order options from a wider variety of retailers.[Via Gizmodo]
DS Fanboy vs. GBA Movie Player
Deep within the recesses of the DS Fanboy labs, the SD version of the GBA Movie Player has been enduring poking, prodding and occasional squeezing for quite some time now, up until the point where failure to post a review would be deemed by many as inappropriate and downright offensive. Doubly so considering that said labs don't actually exist. Compelled by the logo prominently emblazoned all across this site, we mainly tested the device on the Nintendo DS and the DS Lite and were pleased to find that the device performs surprisingly well. There is a caveat, however, one that should loom over your online purchase like an owl slowly circling a confused mouse, waiting for the opportune moment to swoop down and devour a furry feast. Once you look up and become aware of the bird of prey, you'll be better equipped to determine whether or not the Movie Player is worth your money. Ignoring it will only lead to disappointment which, going by this ill-conceived allegory, means you will get eaten by an owl. A big one.Essentially, the problem with the GBA Movie player isn't a problem with the GBA Movie player at all. It's that thing it plugs into. As a media playing device, the DS is a bit crap.
Metroid Prime Hunters includes free Rumble Pak
If you're one of the folk that purchased Metroid Prime Pinball, you've no doubt been playing Metroid Prime Hunters all this time with your free Rumble Pak as it realistically vibrated the echo of missile damage through the handheld, then your fingertips, and finally on into your brain. You could've also purchased the GBA slot-fitting add-on direct from Nintendo, or at a more expensive price, through importer Lik-Sang, to experience the tremors of gameplay. Or, if you're one of the dozens of people on the globe who've yet to acquire Metroid Prime Hunters, you could finally pick up the bounty-hunting simulation and get the accessory for free as it's now included in copies of the game, yet only while supplies last. No word yet on if the bundle will be available for those in Europe.
Viewboy DS2TV preview
Popular importing website Lik-Sang recently got their hands on a prototype of SyberSoft's GBA and DS TV adapters. These devices latch onto each respective system's screen and are able to display the image by relaying the picture off a lens and series of mirrors, transporting the visual data through AV cables to the TV set. You may have noticed this same type of product for the PSP, but for those of you wishing you had one for your DS, this is a worthwhile read as the guys over at Lik-Sang really put the product through the gauntlet and give you a good idea of the pros and cons of the hardware. [Thanks DSemu and Graham!]
Import avenues once again without traffic
Popular importer Lik-Sang has filled all of their preorders and are there once again for your anxious importing mouse-click. They've even got that addictive Crystal Cocaine Lite available. I personally have been waiting for its release stateside, but it's getting harder and harder with each new happy owner I read about.
