According to Reuters, a Sony spokesman said: "The law is clear,
and the activity of parallel importing of PSP products from the
US/Japan is unlawful. It should be clearly understood that under no
circumstances does Sony Computer Entertainment consent to such
activities."
Parallel imports – where goods intended for one market are
bought in another, taking advantage of differences in pricing and
availability – are a growing problem for the IT industry.
In this case it has been caused by a delay in the European
launch of the long-awaited PlayStation Portable, a new device
designed to play games, films and music on the move. It was due to
be launched in March, at the same time as in the US, but has been
put back six months because of supply difficulties.
But gaming fans have created a so-called "grey market" for the
devices.
According to reports, Sony has now moved to stop the imports,
sending cease and desist letters to retailers, most of which have
backed down.
One small on-line retailer, however, has decided to fight.
According to Dan Morelle, managing director of
ElectricBirdLand:
"We are not trying to belittle the Sony brand or damage any
future sales as demand for the product is so great. All we offer is
the one thing Sony has failed to do, and that is to give the
customer exactly what they want, when they want it."
The entrepreneur says that the cease and desist letter received
by the firm referred only to Sony's PlayStation trade mark, and
that the PSP mark used on the new devices is actually registered in
the UK to Bristol-based IT firm Owtanet.
Other key trade marks, technologies and software used in the
product have not been registered by Sony, alleges
ElectricBirdLand.
"Sony Computer Entertainment is well known for fudged product
launches and this is another perfect example," said Morelle. "The
threat of legal action is not because Sony is concerned about the
impact that small importers like us will have on its brand or sales
– it's simply because of their inability to implement something so
vital to the success of its new product."
