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Sony swings back at Lik-Sang News
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In a statement issued to our sister-site GamesIndustry.biz, Sony has denied any responsibility for the closure of Lik-Sang - accusing the online retailer of "sour grapes".
The statement begins by observing that Sony Computer Entertainment has successfully sued Pacific Game Technology, which uses Lik-Sang as one of its trading names, for infringing intellectual property rights.
"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 statement claims.
"We would therefore strongly deny that our actions have had anything to do with this website closing (we assume the legal entity is still trading), and would suggest that this release is sour grapes on behalf of Lik-Sang which is aimed to belittle Sony Computer Entertainment and the British judicial system that found against them."
Earlier today, Lik-Sang announced it was going out of business, citing a series of lawsuits filed by Sony as the reason for the closure. The retailer also alleged that several SCE executives purchased import PSP hardware and software on its website.
Sony responded, "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, as this is contrary to data protection principles around the world."
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Wrestlevania
24/10/06 @ 17:02
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"We have been awarded substantial costs against Lik-Sang which have not been paid,"
So, kinda like you and Immersion then? Only the shoe's on the other foot now, isn't it, bitches? Boycott Sony! |
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Eighthours
24/10/06 @ 17:06
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Investigatory purposes? The lying dickheads! The reason they had to import is because they couldn't get them in Europe, you lying little shits!
*is angry* By Christ, do they really think we're all that fucking stupid?
Edited 1 times,
most recently on 24/10/06 @ 18:08
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"lmao... so SCEE had to buy their PSP's from Lik sang so they could investigate what all the other branches of the company kept talking about as no one could be bothered sending them any internally."
I suspect it means to investigate Lik-Sang. BTW, if Lik-Sang knew they were dealing with Sony employees (and it seems this claim was correct), shouldn't they have been a little more discreet? Kinda like refusing to sell drugs to the narcs?
Edited 1 times,
most recently on 24/10/06 @ 18:13
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ManicDrunkMonk
24/10/06 @ 17:20
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Why didn't Lik-Sang contest the case? It's sad that an import site has shut, but they presumably knew they were doing something illegal if they weren't even represented in court.
On top of this Nintendo have been involved in legal action against Lik-Sang in 2003, so Sony aren't the only ones. Furthermore Microsoft have little reason to sue an import firm in Asia, given that there is no reason to import 350 wares in any direction. It'll be interesting to see what happens to Play Asia et al.
Edited 1 times,
most recently on 24/10/06 @ 18:21
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NoCodeNed2
24/10/06 @ 17:25
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Hang on, I'm confused - so they didn't contest it, there are no legal costs, they haven't paid damages, they're still trading, but they've closed their website down? Why don't they still sell all but sony stuff?
/checks - website still up and running they're just not taking orders at the moment? |
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Theres no point in contesting the case if you know you arent going to be able to cover the legal costs. Sony could just keep battering them with court case after court case Better to just quit whilst you're ahead so you can keep your existing customers happy and come out with your head held high, rather than shooting yourself in the foot like Sony have done (again).
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absolutezero
24/10/06 @ 17:26
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Nothing will happen to Play-Asia as they have already buckled under Sony's preasure. They won't ship anything related to the PSP to Europe. America is fine, SoA could'nt give a shit. SCEE however love raping us in the ass.
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NoCodeNed2
24/10/06 @ 17:29
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@Furbs - but surely it wouldn't have got to court in the first place if there wasn't a case to answer?
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What we (or at least I) want to know now is that did Lik-Sang shut down it's business because of Sony's actions or did it shut down it's business because it didn't do too well anyway (and now it's using a scapegoat to shut down)?
Or maybe it's the reason that what they did was illegal and they couldn't continue their business without the grey importing. |
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JediMasterMalik
24/10/06 @ 17:31
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So Lik-Sang were just trying to ryle up the fanboys? It worked too... Muppets.
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"Hang on, I'm confused - so they didn't contest it, there are no legal costs, they haven't paid damages, they're still trading, but they've closed their website down? Why don't they still sell all but sony stuff?"
That's what is confusing me - Are they gone or not? From the way the other press release was worded it sounded like the end of civilization as we know it. This one makes it sound like they were 'mildy inconvenienced' or something... I suppose it's a forlorn hope to expect some actual clarity. |
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matharding
24/10/06 @ 17:33
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Sony are c*nts. I've bought loads of stuff from Lik-sang, now gone thanks to Sony.
Id like to punch Phil Harrison's snooty, arrogant, pasty white face up in the fucking air on PS3 launch day in Europe. If that ever fucking happens. |
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I'll be very sad if Lik Sang have indeed gone. I've bought loads of items from them over the years, and they've always been superb. It's a sad day to see them go.
And as for Sony? Perhaps if you actually released your consoles in Europe, people wouldn't have to import them. The 9 month+ gap between Japanese and European PSP launches was absolutely unacceptable. They should just be glad us Europeans want to buy their items at all, with how shoddily they treat us. |
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bloodflowers
24/10/06 @ 17:42
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Cry me a river Sony. Go on, fuck off. Take your EU pricefixing model with you. Wankers. Today I switched from "will buy a PS3 only if Japanese shmups are ported to it" to "not buying a PS3 at all".
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technofranki
24/10/06 @ 17:44
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So what does Sony have agains Europe? It's sad that Lik-Sang is gone. I've bought from them several times and waas very pleased with their service.
This action does not help Sony in their consumer relations. There was a grat gap between the Japanese and European release of the PSP. The same has happened again with the PS3. Sony have a strange way of takeing care of the European consumers. |
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Rev. Stuart Campbell
24/10/06 @ 17:47
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Winning court case after court case didn't help Bleem any. Sony kept losing, but kept bringing cases anyway, using their vast financial muscle until Bleem simply collapsed. Presumably Lik-Sang didn't see any point in bleeding to death from the multiple cases Sony were going to bring, and decided to rescue whatever they could and run.
"surely it wouldn't have got to court in the first place if there wasn't a case to answer?" ROFL. Someone really doesn't know how the legal system works. |
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The evidence presented thus far suggest Sony continued threat of legal action forced them to close.
Plenty of companies have become victims of such tactics, it's all about protecting or extending market share. And lots of companies engage in dirty tactics. Microsoft anyone? British Airways? Nintendo? GlaxoSmithKline? Really, don't be so naive. |
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NoCodeNed2
24/10/06 @ 17:50
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I seriously doubt lik-sang is 'gone' at worst they'll re-open under a different name, they're just hitting Sony where they can - the press.
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We would also like to express our surprise at a company releasing personal information about its consumers, as this is contrary to data protection principles around the world."
Looks to me like Sony(Europe) just P0\/\/N3d 'Pacific Game Technology' I guess they Do have good PR guys... Looks more like 'Lik-Sang' may disapeare but the real company behind wont. Ebay is cheaper anyway. |
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Oh, and another point!
"We would also like to express our surprise at a company releasing personal information about its consumers, as this is contrary to data protection principles around the world" But installing software seceretly on people's PCs to spy on them is fine eh Sony? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/44... |
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JediMasterMalik
24/10/06 @ 17:55
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You realise a different division of Sony is responsible for that?
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Its practically turned into a game of 'but they did THAT!'
Yeah, Lik-sang mightve just used Sony's bad publicity. But at the same time, Sony retaliating by turning around something Lik-sang said in their press release really does seem low and childish. Both parties are right now relying on the fans to rally for either cause, you know, it would probably be better to wait untill a clearer report is released (possibly by an independent party)
Edited 2 times,
most recently on 24/10/06 @ 18:59
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"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 statement claims."
Kind of hard to contest when you file 15+ lawsuits, each in a different country simultaneously.
Edited 1 times,
most recently on 24/10/06 @ 19:00
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"You realise a different division of Sony is responsible for that?"
Hmmm. Have you studied World history at all? If not I have a suggestion for you - it may be extreme but it serves a point. Look up "Nuremberg Trials". You'd be amazed at what some people have denied having knowledge of and blaming it all on others within the same organisation. In other words, that kind of excuse? It really doesn't cut the mustard with your more educated consumer. |
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Ok just for all you people with an axe to grind out there - who didnt read the article, let me summerise:
Sony had nothing to do with the closure of Lik-Sang. Sony have suffered because of the closure of Lik-Sang. The owners of Lik-Sang have not lost out - they will simply put the money into another business venture. Presumably one that doesnt break the law. FFS get a grip guys - Sony are no more evil than any of the other big organisations in this world, its not like they killed your family and pissed on their corpses! I've been reading Eurogamer and the forums for a long time now - and lately there seems to be an awful lot of crap being thrown around - can everyone please chill out. |
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Emilia'sHorse
24/10/06 @ 18:04
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Cheers concrete I am totally clear now...Sony are blameless and heroic defenders of the British judicial system.
Hooray
Edited 1 times,
most recently on 24/10/06 @ 19:06
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@Concrete
Has it occurred to you that the reason people feel so passionately about this and other recent events concerning Sony is that they - love video games, which is why they're here in the first place - want to buy a machine like the PS3 and experience the great games it will undoubtedly offer - get angry when the company who manufactures said console seems to treat European consumers with disrespect with such behaviour and goes on to patronise them in official press releases. Yeah, you're right, no one will die as a result, but you know people care! *feel the love* \actually feel the hate. |
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matharding
24/10/06 @ 18:08
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Concrete can you actually read?
'Sony had nothing to do with the closure of Lik-sang' They had everything to do with the closure of it. If it wasn't Sony who closed Lik-sang who did? |
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