Sony punishes early (import) PSP adopters
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Sep 2nd 2005 at 1:30PM }
We want to tell you a story about Alex from the UK. Like many European consumers, Alex was eager to get his hands on a PSP—he'd even played one during a trip to Japan. But, fearing that the launch would be delayed (and it was) in the UK, Alex decided to import a unit from Lik-Sang—after all, the PSP is region-free. In the following months, Alex enjoyed games from Japan, games from the US, and just yesterday, games from the UK. But when Alex went to register at YourPSP.com (a promotional site for the European launch) to enjoy free downloadable content, he was promptly rejected. The reason: his PSP's serial number did not originate from the European batch. Alex writes:
"At least when my parents told me off for spoiling my dinner by eating sweets beforehand, it was out of concern for my poor old teeth and poor old waistline. There was some sense that it was for my own good. Sony's punishment is pure corporative vindictiveness."
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
jc @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Remember kids, if your parent have to move to the UK for work... remember to tell them no.
Metalghosts @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Do you really expect anything more out of Sony? Hell, I hope not, or else you will be very disappointed.
K_G @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Boo-Hoo. What a whiner...There are certain risks you take when import stuff from other countries....And it's worth mentioning that the yourPSP.com site offers a free UMD movie (spiderman 2) to those who register, so Sony has a interest in not letting people from other markets take advantage of this (even though the UMD won't play on an imported PSP due to region code lockout). If he's pissed now, wait until he has a problem with the PSP and tires to file a waranty claim.
semi @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
this was expected...oh come on..
do japanese psps register on us psp site?
this is one of the reasons why i am reconsidering ordering a white psp from japan, coz i wont be able to register and get free stuff
DeMe @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
I'm calling BS on his argument. Can people that bought their PSPs in Japan or the US download the content? Apparently not since the serial was non-UK. What that tells me is that the content itself is an added bonus for the UK customers that WAITED FOR THE SYSTEM'S RELEASE. He has just as much right to complain as anyone else that bought their systems before the UK release. Do people that bought a DS before the price drop get to justifiably complain?
The world's tiniest fiddle... just for you.
Another Alex @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
My name is Alex, I'm from the UK and the same exact damn thing has happened to me. SCEE is teh suck.
djSyndrome @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Sorry, but no sympathy here. At no point is a hardware manufacturer required or obligated to support import products. They do this to protect their interests and profits in a particular region. What's next, asking Sony UK to warrant your Japanese PSP because of dead pixels?
Get a grip. You import, you take your chances - especially with Sony. Anyone who lived through the PS1 importing days, where software was constantly updated to defeat the newest modchips, is familiar with Sony's stance.
Do I agree with it? Personally, no, but I understand why they do it.
Olly @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
This is somehow surprising? When has any company offered any kind of support for a console bought outside its native territory?
J B Cougar @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
I wish I had the book you guys do.. the one where it says Sony can do no wrong. Sony's starting to sound a little bit like Microsoft... must be lonely at the top.
semi @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
is there UK warranty for the imported PSPs?
if it breaks down they can repair it for you in goodwill, but they dont have to, u have to send it back to the country of purchase..
no sympathy from me either
.bob @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
This is crap, I have my Japanese PSP registered and downloads work just fine. When registering simply put 1st Sept as date bought and select one of the PSP models (the Japanese one isn't listed) and put in the PSP's serial number. Maybe the US PSP's don't work but my Japanese one works fine.
Metalghosts @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
I don't own, nor do I plan on buying, a PSP, so I guess I (fortunately) do not have a vested interest in this one.
But, the warranty issue notwithstanding, Sony has no good reason to prevent someone from getting the free downloadable content. Why shouldn't they let importers have it? It's free for God's sake! Importing the unit doesn't mean that Sony didn't get their cash from the machine's purchase back in the country of origination.
Oh Sony, how I have zero faith in you.
Ledger @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Im in the UK too, you cant register US PSP's on the UK part of the site because you cant select the PSP Model number PSP-1001. Theres only 1003 and 1004 to choose from.
There goes my free Spiderman UMD :P
Spartacus @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Yeah, I'm trying to figure out exactly how importing a PSP negatively affects Sony's profits... Unless of course they are charging more for them in the UK (which is highly probable). Either way, I bet there are ways around it, if this is an issue to begin with.
pspimp @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
I am really starting to think this whole PSP thing is wearing thin.
I know a couple of good games are coming, but frankly, this kind of
crap from Sony is totallly unneccessary.
Really, it was fun having the PSP, but I think it may be time to say bye bye.
Maybe get a handgun instead.
X_Phoenix @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Hey,
I registered my Japanese PSP on the 1st & had no problems. I 'amended' some of the infomation to match their drop down boxes & bingo, downloadable content. I've yet to recieve the 'welcome pack' thingy but I'll let you know when I do.
K_G: Europe & Japan are in the same DVD/UMD region so a Japanese PSP will have no problem with UK UMDS. My purchase of the 'Saw' UMD from Woolworths confirms this.
Christopher7xii @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
That sucks... Sony tends to be dicks when it comes to Europe for some reason... At least on the upside, he has a 1.0 or 1.5 firmware, not the preloaded 1.52. Homebrew away, rub that in your mates faces.
No, not that, I mean your PSP.
Shashwat @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
hey x-pheonix or any other ppl, u guys said u registered ur JAP psps on the UK website.
i too imported a JAP psp (1000k) and i was wondering, when u say u changed som of the information, what exactly did u change. in the drop down boxes ther is 1003 and 1004. which one do i choose?
thanks
Shash
zMastaa @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
WTF??
i registered my JAP and my US psp on yourpsp.com.... for the free spiderman UMD
Sifter @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Hey, I've got a Jap PSP and can't register it - people who did get it to work, what model number / purchase date did you use?
X_Phoenix @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Shashwat:
I believe I changed the version code to the lowest one (If you're choices are 1003 or 1004 then I recommend 1003) and set the date of purchase to 1st September.
Although this was a 7.55AM on the 1st of September. Sony may have tightened up the process since then.
Good luck.
Shashwat @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
thx man, i got it working no probs ( time now GMT + 1: 21.26) all u JAP psp owners, u can still register.
thanks x-pheonix
Shashwat
Sifter @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Remember, the serial no. is behind the battery, inside the PSP - it's not the one on the sticker at the bottom!
Blarrrg @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
I don't have really alot of love for Sony, but in their defense NO company supports imports. You either buy the product in the region your in for support or you buy an import and you're on your own.
Blarrrg @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
*you're in
Damn I hate when I type too fast!
X_Phoenix @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Hey,
Perhaps they shouldn't keep us waiting half a year?
Not Impressed (Dmitri) @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
That picture makes me want to buy a PSP again. It's too bad there are so many problems with it.
DSK @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
i can understand the arguement that people should have waited for the PSP to launch in the UK, however surely sony knew this would happen. I mean if you make a system region free what do you expect? Its not like region free is a defect they put it in deliberately, so why should I and others like me suffer for bad business planning
Eskimo Bob @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Don't you have to register on that site to download stuff? Sony shouldn't give the import people a free UMD movie, but they also shouldn't punish them because they kept delaying the release.
the4thnobleman @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Ha, he actually had to retract his statement....he didnt RTFM and realize there were two serials..whoops
Anyway hes all regged and regrets and retracted the previous statements.
Bazzz @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
You really can register your Jap PSP on the European site as explained in the comments above.But if the welcome packs come or not who knows yet!!At least you can download the online content.
smash @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
if this guy wasnt a moron, and just couldnt reg with the actual serial number... who really cares...
the site is for PROMOTIONAL FOR NEW EU PSP OWNERS...
not people who have already own a psp...
thats like buying a car, a few months later they have a promotion like 1000$ off for new buyers... are you entitled to the 1000$ off? NOPE... thats why its PROMOTIONAL...
Jules @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
I got a Jap PSP and I registered on the 31st of August. I am now waiting for my Spiderman 2 in the post.
Sam jones @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
i bought a psp from japan and it work on yourpsp.com and there sending me the spider man umd now. you have to registar with the serial number from behind the battery.
samisnake @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
i reggd my 1.50 psp (jap) by using the model number 1004 and the serial behind the battery. just waiting on the umd pack, i wonder how long it takes.
hashim @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
helloooo....
sorry man, i'm from the uk and i've got a japanese psp, sign-up at yourpsp.com was a breeze, it confirmed my pack would be delivered, put in a the japanese serial code. whereas previous psp's had 1000 and 1001 tagged along with it, the european ones have 1003 and 1004 with them.
just to clarify, the serial code behind the battery let me register.
ha ha
DSK @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
I'm afraid it doesn't work, whilst some have managed to bluff their way thru it i cannot. It tells me the serial number does not match the model selected. Any1 give me a hand?
Q @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
to #7
apple, toshiba, all has worldwide garranty support...
smash @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
>Posted Sep 4, 2005, 12:23 AM ET by Q
>to #7
>apple, toshiba, all has worldwide garranty support...
indeed they do, *but*, only if you have registered the product in the originating country for worldwide guarantee...(atleast with toshiba, not sure about apple) this is not done automatically...
Robert @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
I have just signed my psp up and i bought one from japan all you have to do is try both models 1003 and 1004 mine worked on 1004 but it could be different if this doesnt work then u r unlucky HA HA Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Miiiguel @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Come on people, be honest with Alex. Sony's not a simpathetic company, they are arrogant, and vengefull.
I have a XBOX, a PS2 and a PSP, and I play (hardcore) with the 1st and last, so don't think I "hate" Sony or something.
Sony tried to ignore MP3, Sony killed Betamax media with it's "no porn" policy - they are weird.
The HW is pretty cool, and funny though, I no doubt endorse it, but they are not the kind of people I would invite for diner.
BlueCat @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Is this additional download not available from the japanese sony site, (given, most can't read japanese), but if its only available in europe it can't be all that great, can it?
Luke @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
What happened to the thing about UMDs being region-locked?
I bought my PSP back in June in the US (I live in the UK) and UK release movies play just fine on it
Chris @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Hey guys,
I had a work colleague buy a US PSP last week on his trip to the States (since I could get the machine and THUG2 and Nintendogs for my DS for the same price as the PSP alone in the UK. You have to love the States!).
Anyways, I registered on yourPSP.com after selecting United Kingdom as the country. I merely chose PSP-1003 (instead of PSP-1001) and keyed in my serial number. The PSP Pack is now on it's way to my home address. I'm not sure why everyone is having issues? Just lie about the model number ;)
oliver141180 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
For anyone having trouble registering Japanese PSP's on the UK site, I tried the instructions posted by people above several times and it would not accept the code. if you get this, i think it does not work if you put the characters in the serial code in UPPER case. If you enter them in lower case, this then seems to work fine.
Mollychop @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Yep the guy is right about the lower case. I ahve registered a jap as 1 1003 with the real serial code but we'll see if I catually get the stuff.
nick5688 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
is the spiderman 2 umd that sony are giving away just a demo or the the whole movie?
PunkPaul @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Just tried getting my 1000 Jap model registered and no luck...they now have 1008 in the drop-down and appears that they tightened security on the serial number scanning script they use. swines!
Ainz @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
I too bought a Sony PSP in Japan, 5 Dec 2005, now I cannot register it, I tried date 1st Sept etc etc but Sony have tightened up this. Helpdesk mentioned to register through the Japan website... and suggested that I use a some sort of translation software to figure out where I click, what I type... hmmm. Thanks for the help !!
Mark Southee @ Dec 26th 2005 11:04AM
I ordered a PSP at the end of November from a well known on line UK supplier. Imagine my surprise when this was a Japanese version (complete with Japanese manual and warranty card).