Sony cracks down on "grey imports"
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Jun 23rd 2005 at 3:15PM }
If you live in Britain and you've imported a
PSP from Japan you might soon be surprised by a knock on your door and man demanding the unit back. That's right, Sony
is cracking down on so-called "grey imports," demanding that retailers involved in such trade reveal personal
information about customers that have purchased imported PSPs. Sony plans to take their case to the high court on
Monday in the hopes of securing an injunction against the retailers. Ridiculous.
[Thanks, silentio & blese]
UPDATE: Looks like Sony had a change of heart… Read here
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Art @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM
Sony issued a statement saying they are not going after customers. The customer data is supposedly requested to see how many units are being sold this way. Still ridiculous though.
arrggg @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM
No, Sony did not go after the consumer that bought PSP, check out this link.
http://gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=9706
Sony of Europe confirmed that.
What wrong with Joystiq.
ChronoZaga @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM
Hmm...I read differently.
http://www.maxconsole.net/?mode=news&newsid=3892
Dmitri @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM
Who cares?
DarkPenguin @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM
I don't understand the legal grounds sony has. Since when was it illegal to import electronic devices?
It sounds like sony is just being a cry baby because they cant have their way. If they win this case, i will be totally astonished.
Ijustcrashed @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM
Nobody cares.
Cem @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM
Sony is not making itself popular amongst gamers with this attitude. I think they're a bunch of losers, they should be happy that the PSP is selling.
arrggg @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM
Nintendo did the same think with their handheld more than a year ago.
Here is a reason why company do this. just my guess.
For example, if anyone want a psp or ds, they just import it, then launch day come and nobody buy the machine because they already have one. then it look very bad for that company, Joystiq and all other gaming news site will report, that machine is a failure, nobody buying them, ect. because they already have one, That is bad news. Also sony may lose money too. if they want to sell 210 Pounds for psp, but importer pay only 200, 10 pounds lose.
Rocket Punch @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM
SO!?!? I live in North Pole, come and get me mofos
l0tus @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM
All this means is that Sony's steady decline just got a little added momentum. I hope the sons-of-bitches go bankrupt...at least we wouldn't have to hear any more about those piece-of-shit BluRay discs that they are trying to push on us. Anyone remember their 'Beta' VCRs...?
Will @ Dec 18th 2005 9:59PM
I live in New Zealand and I've imported a PSP. I understand why no one gives a crap about New Zealand, it's a tiny country of 4 million idiots; but the UK and Europe are a rather large market, one that deserves a bit of respect. They shouldn't be forcing a Sept. wait on them.