Sony's "Bully Tactics"

Goten · 06-07-2005, 11:09 AM

Quote:

SONY USING BULLY TACTICS TO COVER UP PLAYSTATION PORTABLE LAUNCH MISTAKES

Legal Action Taken Against Importers Despite Failure To Secure Vital Trademarks

PSP®, UMD® and XMB® Trademarks Are Not Actually Owned By Sony Computer Entertainment and Could Result in Further Launch Delays

3 June 2005

ElectricBirdLand Limited today hit back at videogames giant Sony Computer Entertainment's warnings over legal action regarding imports of the company's new console - the Playstation Portable (PSP).

Internet-based retailers selling the new PSP console - which can play games, music and films and is set to rival the Apple iPod - have all received Cease and Desist orders from solicitors representing Sony Computer Entertainment. The company is claiming infringement of Trade Mark despite its failure to secure vital Trade Marks in Europe.

The Cease and Desist orders refer only to the 'PlayStation' trademark, hiding the fact that key technologies, trademarks and software utilised in Sony's new portable gaming platform have not even been registered by Sony. Furthermore, research shows that these trademarks and
technologies are owned by or being contested by Sony's rivals.

This includes trademarks for the name PSP (a trademark currently registered by Owtanet Limited in 2000), UMD (Universal Media Disks - Sony's proprietary optical storage solution - which is owned by Olympus Corporation and being opposed by AMD), and XMB (a PSP operating system component which is used with all PSP packaging which has not yet been registered as a trademark).

Sony's failure to secure these trademarks could potentially lead to further delays to the European launch of the PSP, or could result in the costly re-branding of a product which has already proved to be a hit in the US and Japan. It could also mean the start of another embarrassing legal case for Sony Computer Entertainment.

A US federal jury recently ruled that Sony must pay over $90 million in damages to Immersion Corporation for violating "haptic feedback" patents
- patents which refer to the technology used in Playstation 2 'Dual-Shock' controllers.

"Sony Computer Entertainment is well known for fudged product launches and this is another perfect example," explained Dan Morelle, Managing Director, ElectricBirdLand. "The 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 - it's simply because of their inability to implement something so vital to the success of its new product."

The PSP console was initially launched in Japan in December 2004 and in the US in March 2005. Although the European launch was also expected to take place in March, this has been pushed back to September 2005 with manufacturing and supply shortages cited as the key reason.

The launch is now 6 months behind schedule and gamers are desperate to get their hands on the new product. This has allowed importers such as ElectricBirdLand to establish a profitable business on the back of Sony's failure to bring their new platform to market within acceptable timeframes.

"The PSP is set to become the Walkman of the 21st Century and the overwhelming consumer interest we are experiencing is testament to this," Morelle continued. "We 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."

Taken from an article on www.gamespress.com
-------------------------------------------------

So what do you guys think of this? I find it kinda of weird that Sony seem to be so laid back about trademarks and copyrights. Its almost as if they want to cause trouble :|

svosen · 06-07-2005, 01:13 PM

There are probably countless intracacies involved in obtaining those trademarks; I have no idea.

However, one would expect Sony to hire somebody who DOES have an idea...

Gabriel013 · 06-20-2005, 02:02 AM

Going away from the trademark issue, I can see why Sony may be slightly annoyed.

The whole creation and release is carefully planned to generate as much revenue as possible so when you suddenly have retailers not sticking to your plan and possibly costing you money you have the right to be a little annoyed.

svosen · 06-21-2005, 01:48 PM

One always has the right to be annoyed.

One does not, however, always have the right to do anything about it other than continue to be annoyed.

If they want to avoid this type of stuff, they should hire the right people to make sure it happens (or doesn't, or whatever).

Goten · 06-21-2005, 03:40 PM

I totally agree svosen, for them to actually be putting up a real lawsuit against these guys is a bit to far imo.

Rosencrantz · 06-29-2005, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by svosen
One always has the right to be annoyed.

One does not, however, always have the right to do anything about it other than continue to be annoyed.

If they want to avoid this type of stuff, they should hire the right people to make sure it happens (or doesn't, or whatever).

They don't have the right to do anything about being annoyed? That is for the court to decide since there may be a legal right for them to get involved.

Just saying.

goober12 · 07-01-2005, 06:09 AM

Who's dis'n the PSP or SONY now? You people just cant take the fact microsoft sux.

Pocky Fiend · 07-01-2005, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by goober12
Who's dis'n the PSP or SONY now? You people just cant take the fact microsoft sux.

Microsoft has not been mentioned in this thread once until you?

goober12 · 07-02-2005, 07:47 AM

I know. You are thinking about microsoft,eh. Ive noticed the PSXEXTREME forum has alot less payin out than the au.playstation.com site. Thank god.

svosen · 07-03-2005, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rosencrantz

They don't have the right to do anything about being annoyed? That is for the court to decide since there may be a legal right for them to get involved.

Just saying.

Please note that I said, "One does not, however, ALWAYS have the right to do anything about it other than continue to be annoyed."

A subtle inclusion, but nonetheless valid and significant to my argument.

06-07-2005, 01:13 PM	#2
svosen Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Central Montana Posts: 1,960	There are probably countless intracacies involved in obtaining those trademarks; I have no idea. However, one would expect Sony to hire somebody who DOES have an idea... __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." -- Ephesians 4:2

06-20-2005, 02:02 AM	#3
Gabriel013 ArchAngel Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Sheffield, England PS3 Network ID: gabriel013 Xbox Live ID: Gabriel013 Posts: 6,689	Going away from the trademark issue, I can see why Sony may be slightly annoyed. The whole creation and release is carefully planned to generate as much revenue as possible so when you suddenly have retailers not sticking to your plan and possibly costing you money you have the right to be a little annoyed. __________________ \"...and he shall ascend from the fires of Hell...\" "everyone knows second hand squirrel kills." - Svosen 3 forum tokens

06-21-2005, 01:48 PM	#4
svosen Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Central Montana Posts: 1,960	One always has the right to be annoyed. One does not, however, always have the right to do anything about it other than continue to be annoyed. If they want to avoid this type of stuff, they should hire the right people to make sure it happens (or doesn't, or whatever). __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." -- Ephesians 4:2

06-21-2005, 03:40 PM	#5
Goten SUGAH!! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Wrexham, Wales Xbox Live ID: Super FLEXXO Posts: 1,253	I totally agree svosen, for them to actually be putting up a real lawsuit against these guys is a bit to far imo. __________________

07-02-2005, 07:47 AM	#9
goober12 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 18	I know. You are thinking about microsoft,eh. Ive noticed the PSXEXTREME forum has alot less payin out than the au.playstation.com site. Thank god. __________________ PSP, SONY rock

07-01-2005, 06:09 AM	#7
goober12 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 18	Who's dis'n the PSP or SONY now? You people just cant take the fact microsoft sux.

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