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Sony Euro PSP Hitch Outlined!!! News
Chris Leyton
03/06/2005
Online UK retailer highlights issues faced by SCEE....
Sonyâs troubles in bringing the PSP to the European market have been well documented over the past six months, with the territory finally set to receive the handheld some nine months after Japan and six months after the North American roll-out. Recognising the demand, the simmering Grey Market scene has boiled over in recent months as retailers identify the requests of gamers, however it seems Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) doesnât necessarily see it that way, putting pressure on online merchants to cease selling the unit.
TVG today learnt of one retailerâs attempt to combat SCEEâs ardent strategy, as ElectricBirdLand Limited hit back at warnings over legal action regarding the sale of PSP imports. It appears that all Internet-based retailers selling the unit have received Cease and Desist orders from solicitors representing SCEE, claiming Trademark infringement despite the fact it has currently failed so far to secure certain vital trademarks across Europe.
The Cease and Desist Orders allegedly refer only to the âPlaystationâ trademark, hiding the fact that key technologies, trademarks, and software used in the PSP have yet to be secured by Sony. The situation looks to be increasingly bleak for SCEE however, as ElectricBirdLand suggests that these trademark and technologies are owned or being contested. These include trademarks for the name PSP (a trademark currently registered by Owtanet Limited in 2000), UMD (a trademark owned by Olympus Corporation and being opposed by AMD), however the PSPâs operating system, XMB, is currently free although has yet to be registered.
A spokesperson for ElectricBirdLand indicates that the failure to secure these trademarks could potentially lead to further delays for the PSP European launch, while the worst-case scenario could see a disastrous total re-brand of the format that has already launched across North America and Japan.
A closer look at the UK Trademark Office reveals a number of conflicts regarding the term âPSPâ and âUMDâ, however it does appear that SCE have applied for the registrations and are currently awaiting approval. A re-brand looks to be extremely unlikely, while previous contact with SCEE has never suggested that another delay is on the cards; the trademarks that SCE have applied for are under different classes to previous registrations, so we cannot foresee a problem in securing these, just whether they will come in time for the planned September launch and the question as to why this issue hasnât been resolved earlier when the launch is under three months away.
The issue of trademarks is always a sticky subject, however European law does state that Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) would need to give consent to imports of its product despite the fact it may not yet have secured the trademarks.
âSony Computer Entertainment is well known for fudged product launches and this is another perfect example,â explained Dan Morelle, Managing Director, ElectricBirdLand. âThe threat of legal action is not because Sony is concerned about the impact that small importers like us will have on its brand or sales â“ itâs simply because of their inability to implement something so vital to the success of its new product.â
âThe PSP is set to become the Walkman of the 21st Century and the overwhelming consumer interest we are experiencing is testament to this,â Morelle continued. âWe are not trying to belittle the Sony brand or damage any future sales as demand for the product is so great. All we offer is the one thing Sony has failed to do, and that is to give the customer exactly what they want, when they want it.â
Morelle suspects that the legal action doesnât just hide Sonyâs incompetence in securing vital trademarks. âLooking at the bigger picture, Sony isnât concerned about controlling small businesses importing a few units. The real story is about profit.â Because PSP games are region-free, companies like ElectricBirdLand and larger retailers such like Amazon will avoid rip-off Britain and buy games outside of Sonyâs European distribution channel at a cheaper price therefore having a negative impact on Sonyâs bottom line.
When contacted regarding the situation, a spokesperson for ElectricBirdLand continued to outline the fact that import sales account for approximately 0.004% of Sonyâs expected PSP sales and yet the issue has incurred the whole force of its legal team; suggesting that all importers are doing is helping to continue momentum in face of the delays.
At the time of writing Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) have yet to respond; however you can expect more on the subject soon.
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Date Added:Thu 21st Aug 2008 17:26
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Glyndwr
Date Added:Wed 2nd Jul 2008 17:01
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Date Added:Wed 9th Jan 2008 00:31
SD stuff on the Blu-ray discs for PSP viewing.
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Date Added:Tue 8th Jan 2008 18:03
the same size as the Orignal psp but with a hard drive! get the word out maybe they will he... [ Read full comment... ]
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