Sony swings back at Lik-Sang

By Games Industry.biz Published 24 October, 2006

Accuses them of "sour grapes".

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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Comments (173) Latest comment 5 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Razzajazz #1 5 years ago

    Pot, Kettle, Black. Sour Grapes my arse!

  • alexg #2 5 years ago

    "investigatory purposes"?

    Wha?

  • haowan #3 5 years ago

    investigatory purposes, lol

  • jmctavish #4 5 years ago

    Fight, Fight, Fight!

  • Wobble #5 5 years ago

    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.

  • Aurifex. #6 5 years ago

    Too much of this going on with big companies in every walk of life, its got to stop. Bastards.

  • Wrestlevania #7 5 years ago

    "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!

  • Scimarad #8 5 years ago

    So hold on, have they gone out of business or what?

    /is confused

  • twinbee #9 5 years ago

    This is bollocks. We all know what we are doing when we import, and we don't need Sony's "protection"! SCE are insane.

  • foglord #10 5 years ago

    Lik-Sang just got pwned.

  • Eighthours #11 5 years ago

    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 by 1 at 24/10/06 @ 18:08

  • Nobuo #12 5 years ago

    "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 by 1 at 24/10/06 @ 18:13

  • peterfll #13 5 years ago

    Sony + taking advanatge of the outdated and technophobic British judicial system + arrogance = angry consumer who doesn't wish to be patronised.

    Still, keep 'em coming Sony, it's gonna be interesting to see how deep you can dig your own grave.

  • Nobuo #14 5 years ago

    Why the hell are my comments vanishing?

    Anyway. Am I the only one who thinks this is a decent rebuttal?

    /Awaits a million "Yes!" replies.

  • ManicDrunkMonk #15 5 years ago

    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 by 1 at 24/10/06 @ 18:21

  • rudedudejude #16 5 years ago

    "The purchasing of PSP consoles by SCE employees would be for investigatory purposes." hahahaha omfg, funniest thing I've read all week.

    HEY SONY!! I BOUGHT MY IMPORTED PSP FOR 'investigatory purposes' ALSO, SO ITS OK.

    FUCK OFF AND DIE PLEASE.

  • NoCodeNed2 #17 5 years ago

    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?

  • Furbs #18 5 years ago

    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).

  • absolutezero #19 5 years ago

    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.

  • NoCodeNed2 #20 5 years ago

    @Furbs - but surely it wouldn't have got to court in the first place if there wasn't a case to answer?

  • spongebob #21 5 years ago

    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.

  • JediMasterMalik #22 5 years ago

    So Lik-Sang were just trying to ryle up the fanboys? It worked too... Muppets.

  • tobi #23 5 years ago

    sony aint done nothing wrong, big up to sony!

  • Scimarad #24 5 years ago

    "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.

  • matharding #25 5 years ago

    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.

  • MrBeast #26 5 years ago

    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.

  • megastar #27 5 years ago

    mess with the bull - you'll get the horns!

  • bloodflowers #28 5 years ago

    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".

  • dr_faulk #29 5 years ago

    Sony better get off their high-horse pretty quick before somebody boots them off.

  • technofranki #30 5 years ago

    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.

  • dr_faulk #31 5 years ago

    I say that in a completely metaphorical sense. I'm talking Karma, here. Actually, I don't know what I'm saying. Sony are boring. There.

  • Rev.StuartCampbell #32 5 years ago

    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.

  • peterfll #33 5 years ago

    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.

  • NoCodeNed2 #34 5 years ago

    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.

  • smoison #35 5 years ago

    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.

  • pjmaybe #36 5 years ago

    Oh it was the british judicial system that found against Lik Sang?

    I dont think we need to hear any more...

    Explains absolutely everything that does.

    Oh PS, Sony we still hate you :)

    Peej

  • peterfll #37 5 years ago

    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://ne ws.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/44...

  • dr_faulk #38 5 years ago

    "But installing software seceretly on people's PCs to spy on them is fine eh Sony? "

    lollerskates, we have a winner!

  • JediMasterMalik #39 5 years ago

    You realise a different division of Sony is responsible for that?

  • bauhaus #40 5 years ago

    christ, if Sony handed out free £10 notes at Victoria you cunts would moan

  • Melgo #41 5 years ago

    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 by 2 at 24/10/06 @ 18:59

  • jozz #42 5 years ago

    "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 by 1 at 24/10/06 @ 19:00

  • peterfll #43 5 years ago

    "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.

  • EmiliasHorse #44 5 years ago

    Is it half term? Lots of solid Sony defence in today.

  • Concrete #45 5 years ago

    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.

  • EmiliasHorse #46 5 years ago

    Cheers concrete I am totally clear now...Sony are blameless and heroic defenders of the British judicial system.

    Hooray

    Edited by 1 at 24/10/06 @ 19:06

  • Machetazo #47 5 years ago

    You can alter the contrast on the set all you want, but you still end up viewing the same image.

  • peterfll #48 5 years ago

    @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.

  • matharding #49 5 years ago

    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?

  • Keimar #50 5 years ago

    So why did Lik Sang decide to close?

  • pjmaybe #51 5 years ago

    "christ, if Sony handed out free £10 notes at Victoria you cunts would moan"

    Yeah because they'd still charge you for 'em. Sony don't do "free"

    :)

    Peej

  • Scimarad #52 5 years ago

    "- want to buy a machine like the PS3 and experience the great games it will undoubtedly offer "

    You know I rather doubt most people in the "Sony are twats" camp are thinking that! Just go into any comment thread in any Sony related article - It's pretty depressing.

    Sony ARE twats for stopping imports, however.

  • Concrete #53 5 years ago

    No, they arent blameless - but then no corporations are, but people seem to be taking recent events very personally!

    Sony - "has production difficulties, cant do world wide launch" is translated to "Sony hates Europe and deliberately holds of release here"

    Sony - "attempts to shut down international importer" is translated to "Sony hates you! Why? because they do, they hate fun, and puppies!"

    They havent had a good run lately, and I never even bought a PS2 - but I got an Xbox 1 on launch day. I'm no Sony fanboy, but all this irrational hatred for a company that has done more than any other in the history of gaming is beginning to get me down!

  • EmiliasHorse #54 5 years ago

    Nice one Peej

  • BartonFink #55 5 years ago

    We're having a real Sony love-in here today. :)

  • Toonster #56 5 years ago

    Sony ate my baby.

  • captain-future #57 5 years ago

    FUCK YOU SONY. (pardon my french)

  • TedBaker #58 5 years ago

    Spend all the money you want on Lik Sang lawsuits, just make sure you save enough to help you with this, Sony:

    http://to day.reuters.com/news/articlenew...

    "Asked about the likelihood that some of those PC makers could take their business elsewhere and permanently reduce their reliance on Sony batteries, he said: "We think there is a good chance for something like that to happen.""
    Edited by 1 at 24/10/06 @ 19:18

  • Gouki #59 5 years ago

    Sony will still shift shed loads of PS3's.

    From the start Sony has just lied, chucked its weight around and treated europeans like SH*T.

    If only we could get people to show their anger with their wallets!!!

    I have always been a huge fan of lik sang and play asia, without them i wouldnt have my Japanese streetfighter collections. Wha but it came in Japanese I didnt kno tha....??? (insert sarcasm). Oh come on Sony we all kno what were buying and we all no what your doing!

    Im no fanboy, PS2 was great fun!!!! Im just a little fed up of your SH*T now sony.

    Didnt you also say the original xbox was a PC in a box and over weight?
    I cant wait for your cell CPU hooked up to an out of date 7800GTX equiv.

    I like the fact now not only are you annoying Europeans, Importers, Japanese businesses fellow industry leaders you want to annoy the Film industry also.

    Oh yes latest news is that sony have delayed the launch of their blu ray home players so they can free up more diodes for the PS3.

    Factor in a Paper launch March 07.

    I remember it well (as a PC gamer), You spouted your mouth off about the graphics (not the gameplay of your PS3). You build the Cell and then think ohhh pants who do we go to for a GPU. I've got it Nvidia!!! Ati already with MS and Ninty. Nvidia charge you a shed load of cash for wot amounts to nothing more than a now out of date 7800.

    Im rambling now (SORRRRRRYYYY). Damn tangents,

    What will it take Sony for you to realise people here in europe are getting tired!!!!

    Ohhh im sorry i forgot you dont care!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Machetazo
    24-Oct-06 19:06:38 You can alter the contrast on the set all you want, but you still end up viewing the same image. FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    And hold on mo its not a hate fest! Its people just saying their opion on how they feel treated in europe!
    And to the guy who mentioned lik sang breaking the law, I'm guessing if lik sang had the money they could go to the european high court.
    Edited by 1 at 24/10/06 @ 19:27

  • peterfll #60 5 years ago

    @Concrete

    You obviously weren't airound for the hate-fest that plagued Nintendo during the 90's and early 00's. Or Sega when they screwed their loyal consumers with the abortive MegaCD and 32x (Saturn and DC - don't go there, the memory's still fresh). Or - well - Microsoft generally who everyone loves to hate.

    There's a lot of hate y'know. It's just been Sony's turn in the spotlight recently.

    It'll do 'em good. It's for the best.

    ;-)

  • spongebob #61 5 years ago

    Good job Teddyboy! That's what it all boils down to anyway. One fanboy is frustrated to the world and he blames MS, the other blames Sony. We all need something to target when it's a bad day and girlfriend is acting strange.

  • Melgo #62 5 years ago

    Concrete:

    (Not meant as a flame, or offensive comment):

    Youre right in some ways. But its Sonys arrogance that annoys people. If Sony would be realistic from the start, then people wouldnt be in such a anti-sony mood at the moment. If you go on to claim that you will have a certain number of units everywhere in the world, and claim it for a long period, only to suddenly do a 180 a few months before launch, cut down the number drastically and decide to leave out a group to which you have all this time been promising the best of everything, ever then yeah, youre bound to make people angry.

    Therefore, its likely that people will side against Sony should a case such as this occur, this doesn't mean that Lik-sang is right, its pretty ambiguous at the moment, but there is a common opinion that Sony is at cause, and the past months would only argue this point further.

    Like I said previously, its best to wait for an independent report regarding this, or atleast one that isnt so obviously biased in favour of one or the other.

  • Segnit #63 5 years ago

    A second all time rare appearance for me...

    Sony quickly issued a response, and a relatively good one at that. However the key issue is the following:

    1- Lik-Sang closed down because they would be unable to incur the costs of similar such court cases brought on by either other of Sony's divisions or by entirely different company's altogether who might have been inspired by Sony's victory. Sony set the "sour" precedent.

    2- As far as it appears, Lik-Sang didn't do anything more illegal according to either Honk Kong or UK law then any one of you who have lended a game to a friend, gambled negligible amounts of money on games or purchased/resold your games and hardware. All of which are illegal.

    The question is why was SONY responsible for this debacle? If it's because it effected their business the most, then it's for the same old "We're a business and not a charity" response.

    The response to "We're a business and not a charity"? Pascal Clarysse could say
    "Sony, that was your business, and in the process you've destroyed ours. Now it's time for politics and you need to re-evaluate whether your business interests have been met with this lawsuit. Tread more carefully around people's feet next time. Cheers"

  • peterfll #64 5 years ago

    @Spongebob

    What was that? An actual posting I don't disagree with?!

    \faints

    No, wait. Target them all!

  • Machetazo #65 5 years ago

    Sony - "has production difficulties, cant do world wide launch" is translated to "Sony hates Europe and deliberately holds of release here"

    Sony - "attempts to shut down international importer" is translated to "Sony hates you! Why? because they do, they hate fun, and puppies!"

    Concrete, it appears to be YOU that's taking other people's opinions towards Sony the most personally.
    Your first exaggeration actually translates to: Sony had no clue what it was letting itself in for, because it is a big flashy company, that reacts, had very short-term planning and insufficient (if existing in the first place) contingency plans, should things not in fact turn out as their shareholders foretold they must.

    The second one translates to: Sony fears choice and competition. Because Sony believes there is no other way. They continue to doggedly pursue a stubborn "we are right. We are all" approach with other companies, refusing to give an inch, even when it's their customers that end off the worse (of course, Sony believes said consumers have no choice, and will take whatever they offer them.) Bottom line, from our perspective, at least.
    It's quite apparent that Sony doesn't give two ships. They won't till people make them.

  • Gouki #66 5 years ago

    SH*T Guys my laptops warm tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Very warm

  • Gouki #67 5 years ago

    Its on fire!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    No Really!!


    Just let me change the Sony battery bak on in a second

  • ProtoformX #68 5 years ago

    It's a shame really. I only ever ordered 1 thing from Lik-Sang and that was a Japanese DS Lite and I was so happy when I got it.
    The problem here is that both companies will have PR people whose sole purpose is to issue statements that make the company look good. In the end what Sony did was right - they were protecting their assets. But then you have to ask the question - why is it illegal to import consoles in the first place? You can import nearly anything else. They're not fruit, veg or animals that might introduce a disease into their new environment.
    Why can't console manufacturers just wait and finalise launches in all territories and then do actual worldwide releases? Sure, it means that some territories like Japan and the USA might have to wait a little longer, but it's all the same money in the end.

  • Concrete #69 5 years ago

    See - this is what I want, I know I'm not right about everything, and I'm quite happy to be told so, but what I want is reasoned arguments to go with it - not just "YOU SUCK SONY FANBOY! LOL".

    Everyone knows that Liksang know exactly what they are doing, they are just spoil sporting at the moment while they move their operation somewhere out of reach - thats why they didnt fight the case, they didnt want to waste money on a lost cause.

    @Peterfll - you got me there - I have always been a primarily PC gamer - although I do like consoles I prefer having to pay through the nose to play the latest games at a reasonable frame rate ;)

    @Melgo - you raise valid points that show more than anything else, Sony's biggest failings to date have been their PR and attitude towards thier customers, which no one can fail to agree has been terrible!

  • peterfll #70 5 years ago

    @Concrete

    We all pay for our sins one way or another. God knows I have.

    (actually you raise a good point that shows the PC gaming model of business has none of this baggage of people allying themselves to single manufacturers).

  • PS3lol #71 5 years ago

    What's that noise?. Why it's Sony digging there own grave.

    dig dig dig dig dig dig dig dig .

    haha Sony you're so stupid at PR.

  • spongebob #72 5 years ago

    Nintendo all the way.

    Nintendo might love you with their console release date, but it sure as heck looks to me that they are having trouble giving the love to European with the game release dates.

  • t8yman #73 5 years ago

    and ps3's will sell by the bucketload on launch day, and eBay will be full of them, and you will all pay through the nose for the pleasure. Welcome to the next gen sony fanbois. Us 360 owners are getting the "real next gen" now ala Lumines Live and Godfather. Lik Sang couldnt fight this, sony could have let it carry on, it wouldnt hurt their figures one bit.

  • cooper #74 5 years ago

    It wouldn't make any difference for the fanboy majority here, but you shouldn't be crying over Lik-Sang so much. "Pacific Game Technology" didn't close down, and will most likely be back taking orders soon or resurface under a new name.

    BTW, it's not the first time Lik-Sang has been sued and lost:
    <a href="http://www.zeropai d.com/news/1905/">
    Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo sue Lik-Sang.</a>

    And yes, I got my original black DS from Lik-Sang, but I don't feel like I owe them eternal gratitude. They're a business and should be able to defend themselves.

    For all the people who hate Sony so much - If it's because of non Sony stuff, you could get that from many other places, why do care if you can import a PSP or PS3 at all? and if you're worried about what the law says, shouldn't you be complaining about the British High Court as well?

  • SeesThroughAll #75 5 years ago

    cooper, you're my hero.

  • spongebob #76 5 years ago

    Us 360 owners are getting the "real next gen" now ala Lumines Live and Godfather.

    Man you must be either sarcastic as hell or really stoned.

  • PS3lol #77 5 years ago

    Don't argue about it, just don't buy any Sony products.

  • SomaticSense #78 5 years ago

    "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."

    So what the fuck is the point in the thing being region-free then if we can't buy foreign games to play on the damn thing. Sony are just being twats YET AGAIN.
    Edited by 1 at 24/10/06 @ 20:10

  • HelloWorld #79 5 years ago

    I expect Lik Sang is being a bit of a martyr to draw attention, and that Sony have the law on their side, but i still support Lik Sang. I find Sony's practice of making europe wait ages for stuff then pay through the nose for it despicable. Lik Sang is Robin Hood, Sony is King John. (Disney version of course)

  • t8yman #80 5 years ago

    @spongebob

    I like to *think* sarcastic, I'd like to *be* stoned

  • MadMirko #81 5 years ago

    Sony couldn't sink any lower if they tried to. God, it't not even funny anymore. Losers.

  • Machetazo #82 5 years ago

    <a href="http://www .lik-sang.com/news.php?artc=3901
    ">http://www .lik-sang.com/news.php?artc=3901
    </a>

    How the heck would these company bigwigs at SCEE be involved in the research! That's grunt work, or one for the legal dept. Notice that Sony doesn't try to deny its people were importing these goods, either (then starts some rubbish about being surprised that L-K is giving out names. L-K needs to form a case.) What's that likely to do, in terms of data protection, giving out names?...It looks like Sony's trying to flaunt the law, then spin things to its own defence.
    Despicable.
    Edited by 1 at 24/10/06 @ 20:24

  • vane101 #83 5 years ago

    The biggest problem is that these big corps talk about global markets but when someone actually takes advantage of this and it affects them they cry foul. Hopeless!

  • absolutezero #84 5 years ago

    @ cooper

    Fact is Lik Sang carried a hell of alot of stuff not available anywhere else. Loads of dongles and cables that come in handy all the time. Lik Sang was the only place I could find stuff like that.

    They also stocked loads of stuff like the Wonder Swan and others like it. So its not just Sony stuff people are pissed about. Thats not to say that im not pissed about not being able to import PSP games. It really is a joke.

  • Nippledoctor #85 5 years ago

    Wave good-bye

    See my heart so blue.

    Oh dear, what has become of the gaming industry. Time to plug my good ole Atari 2600 again.

  • Foxclose #86 5 years ago

    Bastards, they NEED to be sued AGAIN for breaking data protection rights!!

    What sour grapes on thier part?! HMUPH!
    Edited by 1 at 24/10/06 @ 21:04

  • tiddles #87 5 years ago

    Did Lik-Sang ever stop selling PSP stuff to Europe as Play Asia did? If not, would they have been able to avoid the lawsuits if they stopped, or would they still have been sued for past imports?

  • penhalion #88 5 years ago

    A little known fact here...

    Europe is one of the biggest markets for Sony!

    Note that this still didn't give them the good sense to launch over here on time instead of only in Japan and America. Japan I can undersand as this is so called home turf for them but, alienating your best market!

    I guess they really do believe that people in europe have super short memories and will flock back to them in droves when they do decide to release anything over here. Maybe they should look at the PSP sales figures and re-consider that position.

  • Foxclose #89 5 years ago

    Lik Sang were BREAKING THE LAW by selling PSP to the European market! CASE CLOSED.

    And now that they can't take it: they pull this scene just to hurt Sony. Well if you deal with people like that in the first place.......

  • bloodflowers #90 5 years ago

    Foxclose: You make me cry inside. I suggest you go read up on the whole issue, pay very close attention to the details, and where the -eventual- pressure came from, which was 100% threat of lawsuits, and nothing to do with the ruling on illegal IMPORTING.

  • Steroyd #91 5 years ago

    Sony won a court case? o_O

    Have I slipped into a parrallel universe or something?

    wait... I'm getting a feeling of de ja vu here isn't there an article like this somewhere...

  • Foxclose #92 5 years ago

    @bloodflowers:

    "which was 100% threat of lawsuits, and nothing to do with the ruling on illegal IMPORTING. "

    The judge ruled that: "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."

    How can anyone deny this? Why didn't Lik-Sang contest the case? Because they knew they were damm well breaking the law in regards to grey importing.

    And then Lik-Sang pulls this shit and just to hurt Sony and by the way spitting in the face of the British judicial system. While probably breaking data protection laws by releasing names of its customers in the process.

    I am sorry but I have no sympathy for Lik-Sang.



  • paketep #93 5 years ago

    Whatever. Fuck you, Sony

  • Foxclose #94 5 years ago

    Thanks for all the commotion Lik-Sang. After all I suppose Play Asia was put out of business by Sony as well!

    I hope “Lik-Sang” really does go out of business.

  • MaxiSleep #95 5 years ago

    To all those using the legal vs illegal argument for saying that people are irrational to hate sony:-


    Why do people hate trafic wardens so ?

  • trevd72 #96 5 years ago

    my pirating of sony stuff is guilt free now.

    fuckers

  • Xerx3s #97 5 years ago

    Yeh go ahead sony, all ms and ninty have to do is watch you self destruct and you are handing your credit on a silver plate to them. Good move.

    /slowly claps hands

    Let's hope that at the end of the run they come to their senses and learn from this.

    So why did Lik Sang decide to close?

    Picture this: You have a small amount of money. They have unlimited funds (ms, sony, whoever). Either: You close shop and open tomorrow under a different name and continue for a while or keep getting battered time after time again. Even if you win, you lose.

    All of this could of course have been avoided if sony just treated Europeans as equals to start with.

  • gth #98 5 years ago

    I don't agree at all what Sony did against Lik-Sang...

    BUT

    what hindered Lik-Sang to just stop the distribution of PS3/PSPs to Europe?!? Nothing...CASE CLOSED!

    Because they sure made a lot of money selling all those Wonderswans and cables and stuff so they could easily have continued their business without Playstations....right?

  • trevd72 #99 5 years ago

    wii60 all the way

  • captain-future #100 5 years ago

    @Concrete: "company that has done more than any other in the history of gaming"

    You of course talk about Nintendo, right? NES + SNES + GameBoy did much much more than Sony PSX, PS2 and PSP for video games.

  • Nostromo13 #101 5 years ago

    sony, your collective mum

  • TripleSeven #102 5 years ago

    Depends what they're basing their business on. Legal actions or actions that are (now) deemed illegal. They can't make profit out of legal actions - they'll have to close down.
    It's not the end of importing games and hardware. Calm down people - or if you had such a bad day keep on complaining.

  • secombe #103 5 years ago

    To me, Lik-Sang closing is obvious. If they are going to be walloped financially it makes sense to refund all its customers, stop taking orders and therefore vanish without a huge PR disaster on its hands. Beats continuing trading and having £1000s of customers money if and when they would have closed without notice, leaving loyal customers out of pocket.

    So even if Sony didn't force Lik-Sang to close via a lawsuit, they managed it indirectly by financial muscle and a piss poor legal system.

  • stoic #104 5 years ago

    So, no more imports from lik-sang then?
    Thanks god I'm moving to Japan soon...

  • toy_brain #105 5 years ago

    As others have said, I think Sony are a bunch of twats for leading to Lik-Sang's demise, but something dosent quite seem right about all this. Lik-Sang's closure seems to have come totally out of the blue. They go from bullishly 'fighting the good fight' to 'totally bust and closing shop' in.. what? the space of a day?

    I assume that Sony would have issued Lik-Sang with a cease and desist order (probably several) before they went in with full-on legal action. Its at this point that most small companies would relent and comply with Sony's wishes. I dont know the full details but this is probably what Play-Asia did, and they still seem to be happily trading.
    But Lik-Sang decided to ignore the legal threats and keep going- and remember this isnt the first time they have gone to court - so I assume they knew what they were getting themselfs into.
    Continually fighting legal battle after legal battle, against a company as big as Sony... at no point did someone look at Lik-Sang's budget an say "Actually, we'd better drop this and comply as its sucking up our cashflow something rotten"?
    Seems a little fishy to me.

    I wouldnt be supprised if Lik-Sang as we know it file for bankrupcy to eliminate any debts nd outstanding legal action, then resurface under a different name and basically start all over again.

    I'm not saying I support Sony's action, not at all, but Lik-Sang seem far from squeaky clean themselfs.
    Edited by 1 at 25/10/06 @ 00:59

  • chupachups #106 5 years ago

    "investigatory purposes" obviously required SEVERAL TOP EXECUTIVES of Sony Europe to personally buy PSPs totally illegally (according to Sony).

    So, by the same logic, when the police investigate dealers, we can expect them to put their senior officers on the case who will try and score some ecstasy while wearing full uniform and name badges.

  • Dodgymat #107 5 years ago

    Funny that Sony wrote and released a statement within 2 hours of Lik Sangs' announcement, but if you asked them about the PS3 online service you got............. months of total silence ! (pretentious keynotes excepted of course)

    Arrogant pricks. Pride before a fall and all that I say.

    If it wasn't for sites like Lik-Sang I would've had to wait exactly 2 years and 9 days to play Animal Crossing and over 3 months to play the #1 Cube title RE4. A very sad day for region-free gamers around the world.

  • viperfoxbat #108 5 years ago

    Buy a 360 in protest! :)

  • Kami #109 5 years ago

    It seems ol' Lik-Sang had some skeletons in their closet. So no, I feel relatively little sympathy for them...

    On the other hand, I can't help but feel Sony are just digging their grave a little deeper with every passing press release. I once upon a time had no issue with Sony. But when my slimline PS2 broke - and the subsequent replacements all broke within 24 hours of having them - I felt my love slipping away. And then the last slimline lasted three months, I forgot to close the lid for a few hours to take someone to the hospital and the motor that runs the thing stops working. So when I'm told by the helpline "We can't replace this one then, the lid should not be left open for more than 10 minutes at a time" I feel my blood boiling. I won't be replacing my PS2. And I sure as hell will treat the PS3 with a high degree of scepticism.

    I think for most though, they get the impression from Sony's PR department that they don't give a flying **** about their customers in Europe. Rightly or wrongly, that is just how it seems to come across for people. That we're the ones who get shafted. That somehow, we're not important. None of this is true, clearly Sony do care, but sadly this isn't demonstrated very well in press releases and interviews and as a result, people are growing increasingly disillusioned with this company. We'll see if Sony can ride this out if they manage to get through this generation unscathed - a generation in console gaming is a long time, Sony conquered the market in less than a generation so they probably know that all can be undone in that time too.

    I just think Sony need to fire their PR department and get people in who might actually point out to them that some of their recent garbage is just that. Garbage. It serves no purpose than to clutter up and cause a stink, and that is the kind of attention you can do without. We need less from Sony and their execs and more on the PS3. We need to be reassured that when we get the PS3, we'll get the more superior versions with no faults.

    What we need from Sony is less of the gum flapping, and more action and information.

    And then maybe, just maybe, they can ride out this press shitstorm they've been having the past months and get on with what should be the most important thing. The console itself.

  • foglord #110 5 years ago

    i'm sure the 999 out of 1000 people who'll buy a PS3 and have no idea Lik-Sang was will be extremely upset about this news and it will completely kill their enjoyment while playing the damn thing.

    no wonder Sony treats Europe like shit: we are the retards who were ok with the SNES and the Megadrive being released in Europe 2 years after the japanese launch. but waiting 6 months for a PS3? that's the holocaust right there.

  • rider2006 #111 5 years ago

    Sony claim that it's not their fault of Lik-sang going out of business. What a load of rubbish, they did sue them for massive amount of money. What's wrong with importing consoles, Sony still get money from companies stocking their products. Why this long to stop imports, if they wanted they should have done it in the PS1 days. Sony treat europe like crap, delay almost all their consoles. Sony made a promise that there's going to be a first world global launch of the PS3, with finally we get it around the same time as Japan and USA. How wrong that turns out to be. Sony employees brought PSPs to investigate, why? that does not make since as they know Lik-sang sell PSPs (and wow we recieve PSP from lik-sang). Lik-sang sold PSPs to them with free items to compliment them as they do work for Sony. Lik-sang see that nothing was wrong at the time as why would they sell them to Sony in the first place. It is up to us consumers if we want to import items not you Sony. Just hope this will not affect other import companies (I doubt that will happen). Lik-sang thanks for the great service.

  • Baz_Dude #112 5 years ago

    How did they not have anything to do with it, lik-sang wouldn't be shutting down if it wasn't for the little girls at sony. I mean, seriously, why bitch about lik-sang, a sale is a sale FFS

  • trevd72 #113 5 years ago

    yes the majority of the people who by consoles dont know about the crap running up to launch and dont care one year down the line. us here are the hardcore dare I say and the possible early adopters. even if we choose not to buy a ps3 at launch there are plenty of others who will and the numbers on release day are so low that they can still say it was a sell out. but the casuals buy 2 games a year. we are the ones who blow most our spare money on our hobby. in the long run we should support those that support us and this is defo M$ and possibley nintendo if the fact we are getting the wii at the same time as everyone else is anything to go by (nintendo have been guilty in the past, but its a different market now). Sony as a company are suffering and its the games division that are hold them together so lets hurt them bad and make them take us serious and treat EU fair.

  • Psi #114 5 years ago

    whatever happened to the customer is always right? If I want to buy something from another country I should be able too. I had t-shirts arrive from kosydan this week because I liked the designs.

    It's a global market now, things have changed this millenium. What if your japanese and living in europe? maybe you want to play games in your native language.

    There are very good reasons why a service like liksang should be availible. and its not a new thing someone else will be along to replace them. shame as their customer service was very good, i had a game go lost in the post and they just sent another out. Had this been ebay I doubt the seller would be so understanding.

    Lets see sony take ebay on then, we can all get our import needs from there just with a worse (or less consistant) customer service than liksang provided.

    sony sorry but your going to need some fucking serious games to get my head to turn now. i mean like need like food water and oxygen games mate.

  • foglord #115 5 years ago

    wonderfully explained by someone else:

    "Sony dropped the price of the PS3 $100 in Japan to better fit that market and it also means they will be making $100 less on each console sold in Japan. Now there are laws in place for global trading which helps protect companies which allows them to do this. One major method of this is import taxing where most of that money eventually ends up in the hands of the originating company. This means that even though Sony sold a $400 Playstation to someone in Europe, import taxes should make up the difference in domestic and foreign prices.

    Lik-Sang bypasses this entire process. This means Sony has the potential to lose a TON of money because not only will they be selling a bunch of Playstations for $400 to the Japanese market, but they will also be selling them at $400 to a potentially huge import market.

    This is the basis of what is known as arbitrage and the abuse of arbitrage is something that many countries are now making illegal."

    Lik-Sang should've been disposed sooner. lord knows how much money MS, Ninty and Sony lost thanks to them.

  • Psi #116 5 years ago

    lord knows how much money MS, Ninty and Sony lost thanks to them.

    or lord knows how much money we've saved thanks to them?

  • jonsaan #117 5 years ago

    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."

    and THAT isn't sour grapes?

    What a bunch of cunts SONY are. They were only too happy to let the import scene thrive when the orginial Playstation took over the world. FUCK OFF.

    If you really want to stop importers why don't you try to stop treating Europe like a poor distant relative.

  • foglord #118 5 years ago

    Psi: yeah, saved money buying illegal imports. you're the champ. definately helping the industry.

  • Psi #119 5 years ago

    okay so you come to my shop, i sell an item to the guy in front for £100. Then you are served and I charge you £200. When you ask why, we'll your not from the same country as the first guy sorry. I give discount to Japanese people. ;p

    So.. do you come back to my shop? Do you ask one of your japanese friends to come to my shop and buy it for you? Or do you just think, what a wanker i'll never get anything from him again?

  • foglord #120 5 years ago

    Psi: i'll have no problem going back to your shop, assuming that the discount for Japanese people is, like senior citizens or minors often have, completely legal.

    insert coin and try again.

  • Psi #121 5 years ago

    so if your there with your grandad would you ask him to pay and pay him back? i do see what your saying, but if you can't see my point of view you must have the brain worms ;p

    sony didn't have to sell them the hardware, but sony execs buying it too. if they feel so strongly the sony employees should resign.

  • foglord #122 5 years ago

    "so if your there with your grandad would you ask him to pay and pay him back?"

    no. you see, i'm one of those insane, stupid guys that follow rules and laws. that example you gave would never happen, as i couldn't take advantage of a benefit aimed others than me. besides, that would be using my grandad as a pawn, which shows a lack of moral.

    i don't buy imports, i don't mod my consoles, i don't use emulators, etc. if that means paying more, i'm fine with it. at least i know my money is going to Nintendo and Sony and not some fucktard making a small fortune breaking the law.

  • Psi #123 5 years ago

    imports don't equal playing copies on chipped consoles and playing emulated games.

    so following your rules and laws you've never borrowed a game from a friend? you've never recorded a program on tv?

    i'll punch the next person i see smoking french imported tabs in the face for you. :)

  • lambtron #124 5 years ago

    And therein ladies and gentlemen is your explanation for why Hitler was able to do all the things he did. Because of people like Foglord.

    Congrats...

  • Bitkari #125 5 years ago

    @foglord

    Lik-sang and their ilk rarely play the role of arbitrageur. Most imports will cost around the same as a locally-sourced product once the purchaser has paid for delivery and been stung with import duty.

    The main reason for their existence is not as you suggest for European gamers to get cut-price goods, rather they act as a place to get products that may not arrive at these shores for many months - some never arriving in PAL territories at all.

    Defenders of corporations such as Sony will say that regardless of the reason, that such grey-marketeering is wrong, and does damage to the business model of Sony and Sony-like multi-nationals. It is somewhat amusing to see that such vociferous defenders of the free market are all too quick to put limitations on this freedom when it possibly affects their bottom-line.

    Large organisations are quickly losing their ability to cope in a truly global economy. The mobility of smaller organisations, and indeed the power of suitably enthused individuals are beginning to usurp the dominance of the mega-corporations, and rather than embracing these emerging systems of commerce, they would rather quash them through coercion and litigation.

    The few that do see the benefit of these new systems will prosper this century, those who do not will certainly suffer.

  • Eighthours #126 5 years ago

    The Sony sycophants in this thread are unbelievable. I blame the parents.

  • Muddtallica #127 5 years ago

    Err...not wanting to be overly harsh, but from the tone that foglord is striking, I'm beginning to suspect that he is in fact Gareth from The Office.

  • Fuser #128 5 years ago

    hahaha - I just re-read foglords posts in a 'gareth' voice to myself: you are so right! :)

  • drumbaby #129 5 years ago

    Naughty Lik Sang....revealing customer details....Tsk.

  • Eighthours #130 5 years ago

    @Eighthours

    No worse than the MS or Nintendo sycophants and there's plenty of them around here.

    On the contrary. They are worse... just consider what this story is about compared to the usual fanboy war threads.

  • MyPointIs #131 5 years ago

    What's a sycophant?

  • jonsaan #132 5 years ago

    My Spectrum is much better than your Comodore 64.

    Sigh.
    Edited by 2 at 25/10/06 @ 10:23

  • Xerx3s #133 5 years ago

    See - this is what I want, I know I'm not right about everything

    ¬_¬ I'm not even going to bother...

    Lik Sang were BREAKING THE LAW by selling PSP to the European market! CASE CLOSED.

    Oh, so because you WRITE EVERYTHING IN CAPS makes your argument more valid? -_-

    It's a load of crap, last time I checked, the law didn't mention anything about importing goods. And sony won by - default -.

    Bastards, they NEED to be sued AGAIN for breaking data protection rights!!

    ?! Lol?! Oh fuck it, I'm not even going to bother. Oh wait, does that mean that the other side is automatically right because I defaulted?

    I hope “Lik-Sang” really does go out of business.

    ...

    i'm sure the 999 out of 1000 people who'll buy a PS3..

    Assuming that it will sell 150 million units, that's 150 000 units * 600+(20*60)+50.

    whatever happened to the customer is always right?

    Lost in translation.

    lord knows how much money MS, Ninty and Sony lost thanks to them.

    or lord knows how much money we've saved thanks to them?

    Hear hear!

    I don't mind that corporations are the bad guy, just don't slap it in my face every five mins. This is where sony seems to do things different from ms and ninty. Ms and ninty hide the fact that they are evil cunts who just want your money with all kinds of great announcements and community stuff while sony just doesn't bother to hide it. That comes around and bites them in the ass. They should have had a NDA with liksang about the case and nothing would have happened.

  • foglord #134 5 years ago

    lambtron: yes, Hitler was a genocidal maniac because, just like me, millions of people didn't buy pirated games, used legal loopholes and avoided robbing banks.

    you sir, are a monumental genious.

    Psi: i usually wait for a TV show to come out on DVD to see it again. if not, memories last forever. as far as borrowing games, there's nothing wrong about it. as a matter of fact, i often use that method to "demo" games i'm interested in.

    Muddtallica: i've never seen then The Office but i'm aware of what it is. sadly, i don't know if being compared to "Gareth" is a compliment or an insult. therefore, thank you very much/fuck you.

  • Psi #135 5 years ago

    The amount of TV boxed sets I have is silly mate, but I do watch downloaded content from the states. Why? Take a southpark that took a year to get on paramount comdey about removing the feeding tube from kenny. A year later you've totally missed the fact that at the time of release this was very topical. In fact she died hours after the south park eps aired.

    By the time it gets on povtv (poverty-tv) here in the uk it has no impact at all.

    That particular eps was also the release of the psp in the states ;) and was included as a storyline point.

    I know what I'm doing is wrong, I make no appoligies for it. If they allowed me to pay to view these like i-tunes I would without hesitation. However without ANY options bar wait a number of years I'm sorry but I'll do as I please. IPTV is the future and another argument.

    However all my CD's I actually own. If you take this market as a model for how things will go. You can get an idea how movies/tv/and games will go.

    The only problem is they haven't implemented a solution yet, and regional licensing is still a major issue.

  • mappster #136 5 years ago

    Lik Sang, I'm truly sorry to see you go. Your customer service and dedication to looking out for us is not something we see in the world of business. Thank you for your honest, friendly work. Many will miss you.

    Sony, I promise you this. I will NEVER purchase a Playstation 3 console or any of its games. And I will explain to my friends and family what a repugnant, hypocritical organisation you are ("investigatory purposes...?!";) and disuade them from making similar purchases. I disagree with your right to exist and I wish to see that right revoked.

    Mr S Mapp

  • Zuiyo #137 5 years ago

    "thank you very much/fuck you"

    Classic stuff.

  • mezzomorto #138 5 years ago

    At the end of the day guys & gals, all this ranting (be it aimed at Sony, MS, Nintendo) does n't achieve much. I understand that it's the passion for gaming that drives us to care so deeply but the only power you have vis-a-vis corporations is to vote with your wallets.

    Do you think "evil" corporations such as Sony, MS, Nintendo, and EA would continue treating us this way/ producing uninnovative titles every year/ etc if their profit line suddenly plummeted...

  • ChuckRialto #139 5 years ago

    Did Sony miss the contradiction in their own statement? Lik-Sang "did not turn up and therefore incurred no legal costs" and yet Sony "have been awarded substantial costs against Lik-Sang which have not been paid".

    It seems that Lik-Sang had the choice to either close up shop and leave with some money or pay some exorbitant amount for the hugely salaried lawyers that Sony hired. It's hardly an original approach for a large corporation to crush smaller opposition in this manner and no matter how Sony try to justify it (sad day for Sony, my arse!) that is exactly what they've done.

    Also no denial that they have brought MULTIPLE cases against Lik-Sang and not just this particular one.

  • Fortress24 #140 5 years ago

    Sony issues another response to lik-sang

  • AcidSnake #141 5 years ago

    Quick tip:
    To access fortress42's link wait for the access denied screen and then hit enter in the address bar...

    Unfortunately, having no speakers at work, I can only see the fancy quicktime bar...
    Care to summarise?

    EDIT: Never mind...I saw the title of the file... :)
    Edited by 1 at 25/10/06 @ 11:20

  • lennon #142 5 years ago

    To Sony.

    For Gods sake just shut up.

    Kindest Regards

  • Tommyc352 #143 5 years ago

    Whoever is in charge of the PR at Sony needs shooting, before the Sony Corporation shoot themselves in both feet!

  • lambtron #144 5 years ago

    Oh foglord, if I didn't feel sorry for you I might actually laugh at your comments. Whereas patently Hitler had nothing to do with pirated video games he most certainly did have something to do with passing unjust laws. According to you even questioning the validity of a given law is wrong because they are the "rules".

    Its true I am no genius, that is unless we're talking relatively with you as the point of reference, as evidenced by your complete inability to recognise this.
    Edited by 1 at 25/10/06 @ 12:25

  • Skeletor #145 5 years ago

    Sony nowadays reminds me of a bullish mafia guy sitting next to Lik-Sang saying: "Tell the people you fell down the stairs and broke your nose...or I'll fucking hit you again!". So it's probably true what they say...the fuckers at Sony are betting the whole farm on the PS3, making sure that profit stays as high as possible even it means pissing off a lot of fans. Blueray up your arse Sony!

  • Garulon #146 5 years ago

    "Sony had nothing to do with Liksang closing down at all, they just decided to close right before christmas and the launch of two next gen consoles."

    I know about the PS3. What's the other next-gen console?

  • Psi #147 5 years ago

    Wouldn't it be funny if Sony's UK support numbers passed you to a 3rd world call centre because... we'll it was cheaper to get it from there ;p

    Big business do have to protect their margins. But they don't like me protecting mine :(

  • foglord #148 5 years ago

    lambtron said: "According to you even questioning the validity of a given law is wrong because they are the "rules". "

    and where did i exactly mentioned that we should not question the validity of rules and laws? i said i follow them, like any other decent civilian should do, not that i blindly agree with them.

    since you seem to be some sort of inbreed toothless retarded ape with minimal intellect, i'll let this one slide. but make sure you're supervised next time they let you out of your cage to surf the internet.

  • LittleVoice #149 5 years ago

    Post deleted at 18:03:32 01-02-2012

  • Zuiyo #150 5 years ago

    "since you seem to be some sort of inbreed toothless retarded ape with minimal intellect, i'll let this one slide. but make sure you're supervised next time they let you out of your cage to surf the internet."

    LOL

  • Skeletor #151 5 years ago

    @foglord
    Following rules is one thing, following them blindly is a whole different one.
    Sony, just as any other worldwide corporation is not intersted in any morals or fair play. Their whole plan is how to make more money. If they see a way to maximise profit they will do it. Even if it means putting other people out of business and pissing off fans. XCP copy protection used by Sony BMG was NOT legal. They truely don't give a fuck and they probably just laugh at people like you.

  • Quine #152 5 years ago

    All this just so some salesweasel at Sony Europe can point to a slightly higher sales graph when the PS3 launches.

    Even more depressing that some people support it, regardless of the legal technicalities.

  • foglordisacnut #153 5 years ago

    'as i couldn't take advantage of a benefit aimed others than me'

    Senior citizens and minors get discounts to redress societal imbalance ie. making things fairer for old people and parents of children

    Japanese people get a discount because HEY THEY'RE JAPANESE

    You and Hitler really do have something in common, you're both complete muppets who promote racism.

  • foglord #154 5 years ago

    foglordisacnut: help me here, how exactly am i promoting racism again? and against who, old people, youngsters or asians?

    are you stupid, son? do you suffer from any disease that makes you sound like a brainless mutant? didn't you mean to write "foglordisanut" as your screen name?

    i rest my case. go home and don't talk to strangers. they don't really have candy inside that black van at the other side of the road.




  • godwin #155 5 years ago

    What was that about Hitler?

  • captain_cupcake #156 5 years ago

    didn't you mean to write "foglordisanut" as your screen name?

    Praps, but I doubt it. Swap the n and u around...ah...you see now ;)

  • foglord #157 5 years ago

    "foglordisacunt"... i have to admit, sounds sassy. i like it.

  • LittleVoice #158 5 years ago

    Post deleted at 18:03:32 01-02-2012

  • lambtron #159 5 years ago

    You really are Gareth aren't you.

  • Quine #160 5 years ago

    I'm waiting for the day when uncustomed PS4s are sneaked into secluded coves by dark of night and hard-bitten early adopters laugh at the impotent rage of Sony Europe. Arr!
    Edited by 1 at 25/10/06 @ 15:55

  • AcidSnake #161 5 years ago

    Although by that time the playstation brand will have been bought by Atari...

  • Psi #162 5 years ago

    first off lol acidsnake thats gotta be the quote of the day.

    and christ lay off foglord, think i was the one arguing with him to start with. but calling him hitler etc. not cool man, he aint gassed no jews he's just siding with sony because he thinks grey importings bad.

    i fucking love grey importing. the us snes games had better shaped carts were much sexier, my gameboy micro famicom edition is an item of pure concentrated sex which can blind a person if they are not prepared to look at it.

    lessons lernt grey importing rocks, limited edition gameboys are sexy, forum posters are rarely mass murdering dick heads, and people really will take everyday disagreements so far the escallation of nukliar weapon could be used if somone puts mayonaise on your burger.

  • dk_rare #163 5 years ago

    I didn't think Sony could be so harsh. It knew if you stomp on a site like lik sang that the site will want to tell it's customers who and why it was stomped on.

    I just don't fuckin believe it, I order so many plush toys and wierd and wonderful Japanese Nintendo games. I don't even buy anything Sony branded, this is full of so much bullshit, the whole thing

  • Hughes. #164 5 years ago

    I thought this would be up to about 1,000 posts by now, I guess the agenda driven mob-rousers are still exhuasted from the European delay thread (it was quite a marathon).

    Anyway, Lik-Sang neatly side-step paying the fine and further legal proceedings by winding up business. Sometime between 2 and 6 months they'll set up under a new trading name and be back to business as usual (although probably concentrating on software and accessories to start with). So a nice strategic move for them, the press release is a bit of biting the hand that's fed them though (you could argue Sony suing them is too, and you might be right)

    I remeber about 3 years ago, all my local indie games emporia had a legal letter from Nintendo with words to the effect of "Cease and desist selling imported Nintendo games or we'll shut you down.", I don't remeber an explosion of "DIE NINTENDO, YOU EVIL OVERLORDS OF CUNTISHNESS!" hysteria at the time. People do seem to enjoy turning into rabid insaniacs at the slightest opportunity Sony presents these days. It's like being at a Students' Union meeting in the Thatcher era, frothing, furious and ultimately impotent.

    I've used Lik-Sang before, and planned on using them again soon, so this is an inconvenience, but no more than that. Play-Asia and other sites are still running.

    Sony, like most megalithic corporate entities, are a bunch of bastards as soon as the lawyers are unleashed, they have a long history of behaving this way with musical artists, with the ROOTKIT fiasco and the Immersion rumble issue. However, imagining the other big players in the gaming world are squeaky clean and buying a console is like choosing sides in a battle of Good versus Evil is... well... do I even need to explain how ridiculous that is?

    It's really not worth getting high blood pressure over.

    *hugs*

  • dk_rare #165 5 years ago

    "buying a console is like choosing sides in a battle of Good versus Evil is... well... do I even need to explain how ridiculous that is?"

    It is stupid, but Sony makes us feel like buying a console is a choice between the Dark Side and the Rebel Forces. And as cool as the Dark Side was, everyone wants to be a Jedi.

    And you know what, they are right. Sony have a habit of taking the fun out of gaming. I can imagine someone stealing the PS3 blue prints and Ken Maduragi chasing down little girls, stranggling them, and asking "Where are the plans to the playstation 3". But the little girl already hid them inside the robot : (

  • Hughes. #166 5 years ago

    lolz

    As I've noted elsewhere tonight, the PS3 is as shiny as Darth Vader's helmet*, so maybe it IS the embodiment of evil? What the hell, evil always looked more fun anyway!


    *the one on his head, not his cheesy underpnat stuffing

  • Lother #167 5 years ago

    Foglord, you amaze me how you can still breathe with all that sony semen spilling out of your mouth. One day you're going to choke to death and not even the priest will show up at your funeral.

  • SeesThroughAll #168 5 years ago

    @ Hughes:

    You Sir, are my idol. Such a waste of brains in this Microsoft zealots infested website...

  • BartonFink #169 5 years ago

    If the infestation is that bad STA who are these MS zealots?

  • DrunKao #170 5 years ago

    smoison - "Looks to me like Sony(Europe) just P0\/\/N3d 'Pacific Game Technology'"

    what are you, American?

  • SeesThroughAll #171 5 years ago

    If the infestation is that bad STA who are these MS zealots?

    That bunch that trolls in every single thread about Sony related news, such as this one.

  • BartonFink #172 5 years ago

    k, fair enough I like Hughes too.

    We do have a fair share of Sony zealots in here too, though.

  • captain-future #173 5 years ago

    @foglord quotation:

    1. Laws: I really don't think that this ruling by the court was just. I believe "free world trade" is still valid, yes?

    2. "Lik-Sang bypasses this entire process. This means Sony has the potential to lose a TON of money because not only will they be selling a bunch of Playstations for $400 to the Japanese market, but they will also be selling them at $400 to a potentially huge import market.

    This is the basis of what is known as arbitrage and the abuse of arbitrage is something that many countries are now making illegal."

    Then maybe we should make all stock exchanges illegal? Because that's what's happening in the financial / oil / resource market exchanges.

    3. Your argument about Lik-Sang harming the console makers is short-sighted, because there's such a simple solution. Maybe Sony and Co. shouldn't sell consoles to shops like Lik-Sang, if they don't want the business.

    4. Importing is not illegal (if it were, please show me proof - with a link of course), nor does it guarantee a "better price", it's simple a market correction by the customer. Namely a correction of inapt companies like Sony Europe that can't get European customers the best deals in the world. Namely competitive prices, games right at the first day of the launch, region free/no limits/no strings attached policies.

    5. Why are European 2nd Class customers to Sony. (Later releases, more expensive prices, ...)?

  • Dry #174 5 years ago

    Just a quickie about points 1 and 4. Importing into the EEC from outside it without the trademark owners consent is illegal under EU law, and british law. It's covered in the Copyrights, Designs and Patents act from 1988 (http://ww w.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1988/Ukp... and the Trade Marks Act 1994 (http://ww w.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1994/Ukp... Free trade within the EEC is valid, importing from outside, not so much. I totally agree with 3 and 5 though.

    I'm hacked off because I was gonna get Castlevania POR from them :(

  • Edward_Gamer #175 5 years ago

    Sony tells lots of lies...Sony knew all along that their lithium-ion laptop batteries needed to be recalled. Over 8 million laptops using those defective Sony batteries were recalled by Dell, Apple, Toshiba, and IBM. Those batteries had severe defects that cause the computers to catch on fire, and sometimes the batteries even exploded.

    But listen to this:

    Even though Sony was WELL AWARE of the FACT that those laptop batteries had defects, Sony STILL chose not to recall any of their own Vaio laptops!

    Now, Sony has been forced to recall 12 models of their Vaio laptop computers. The really terrible thing is that Sony allowed people to be at risk, while all of the employees at Sony waited until the very last minute to recall all of the Sony laptop computers that used those Sony batteries!

    I don't really care what Sony "publicly announces," because they are selfish and they should NOT be trusted!!!

    Want more proof as to how it relates to videogames...okay, here is some:

    Sony said that the Playstation 2 would be able to use its "Emotion Engine" CPU processor with super computer speed to display in-game graphics similar to the Computer-Graphic movie called Toy Story!!!!!!! OBVIOUSLY, that NEVER happened, and it NEVER came close to happening!!! It was a BIG LIE!!!

    Sony did the same thing with the Playstation 3, and they keep telling all sorts of lies. I believe the Internet websites that say the Playstation 3 will NOT be released in March of 2007 in Europe...I believe the websites and magazines that say it will not be released until the summer of 2007 or perhaps the fall of 2007 in Europe.

    One thing is clear, though. Sony lied about all of the specifications of the Playstation 3 at the 2005 Electronic Entertainment Expo, just to try and take hype away from the Xbox 360. Thankfully, at the 2006 Electronic Entertainment Expo, all of Sony's lies were exposed this time, because Sony had built up the reputation as being a company that "over-promises and under-delivers." In other words, Sony built up a reputation as a liar.

    The fact that USA Today called the Playstation 3 the Biggest Disappointment of 2006 because of all the disappointing games is reason enough to stay FAR away from Sony and their disappointing Playstation 3 videogames and embarrasing laptop computers, which now have reached the point of 10 million laptops recalled.
    Edited by 2 at 26/10/06 @ 05:17

  • Lunisneko #176 5 years ago

    "Cheers concrete I am totally clear now...Sony are blameless and heroic defenders of the British judicial system.

    Hooray "

    I think what you meant to say was "England prevails!"


    "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. "

    I think you're wrong... Who are Sony to speak of principle? These are the same guys who sold exploding batteries and authored audio compact discs carrying a rootkit, making it truly simple for a hacker to plant any sort of virus on an infected computer, with no hopes of detection. This is a case of a hooker calling a woman a whore.
    Edited by 1 at 26/10/06 @ 06:49

  • Mashum #177 5 years ago

    Closing down was a nice tactical move by Lik Sang in the face of the overwhelming legal $$ of Sony - they could not have won so stepped out of the way and in doing so flipped Sony over for massive PR damage.

    These Lik Sang chaps are HK Chinese right? Reminds me of the Taoist 'bend like a reed in the wind' thing. I hope they are back trading under another name soon, with the same excellent service that they have always provided.

  • razorfire #178 5 years ago

    Hi, im worried, ive bought two games from Lik Sang, theres no way us, the consumers could be targeted is there?

  • floppylobster #179 5 years ago

    Whose laws did Lik-Sang break? They're not any laws that I would ever create or support.

    The law Lik-Sang broke is about as relevant as the old law that banned oral sex.