Sony aims to bar illegal playstation imports

Technology giant Sony has launched legal action to stop sales of its new PlayStation Portable in the UK ahead of the console’s official launch next month, it emerged today.

The company has started proceedings in Hong Kong against the operators of a website called Lik-Sang.com.

It says the site has been selling unauthorised imported PSPs and software to customers in Europe.

The hand-held video, music and games console is already available in the US and Japan. It will launch in the UK – and the rest of Europe – on September 1 and cost £179 (€260).

A Sony spokesman said: “It is illegal to grey import goods into the UK and obviously we will do everything in our power to protect our trademarks and our goods.

“We have taken legal action against a number of companies and have had success in all of those cases.”

Lik-Sang.com said in a statement on its website: “This lawsuit comes as a total surprise to Lik-Sang.com, given that the laws of Hong Kong are clear when it comes to parallel trade.”

It added: “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.”

Sony could not confirm how many PSPs had been sold to UK customers by Lik-Sang.com.

Simon Soffe, head of publicity at video game retailer Game, said customers had already started pre-ordering PSPs ahead of next month’s official launch.

“The hype and excitement around the PSP is enormous. We are getting a lot of inquiries at our stores and a lot of magazines are billing it as the must-have Christmas present,” he said.

“We are already working very closely with Sony to make sure we have as many PSPs as possible.”