Online retailer Play-Asia cancels PS3 pre-orders
Online retailer Play-Asia just cancelled all PS3 pre-orders. The cause should be obvious, last week Lik-Sang announced it closed down after a series of lawsuits filed by Sony over the issue of import PSPs, which a court in the UK declared illegal. Earlier this month, Sony warned that it would “utilize the full scope of the law” to prevent retailers from importing any of its consoles, thanks to this Play-Asia has to disappoint importers. But worse is once the PS3 is released no importer from the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway can buy anything PS3 related.
In an email sent out to consumers yesterday, Play-Asia said the reason was “licensing and distribution limitations. As a result, we are very sorry to let you know that we have now cancelled your non-binding reservation with us.” It could be that they are just being safe rather than sorry, or maybe Sony gave them a firm warning.
What’s really bothersome about this is that if you look at a PS3 launch game like MotorStorm, Europeans can’t import that either, but is this because of Play-Asia wanting to be sure Sony can’t sue them or Sony saying it’s forbidden by European regulations? Because the last we heard Sony say at E3, was that PS3 games would be region free. What good is that when you can’t import any.
I’m actually worried if I mention alternative online import stores, Sony might go after them too, even eBay is canceling PS3 pre-order auctions. The bottom line is that it’s no longer easy to import anything PS3. Then again, even if you want one, you probably won’t be able to get one as there are only half a million available at launch worldwide. Via Eurogamer
PS: Lik-Sang’s pain isn’t over yet. After Sony caused the company to close down because of the lawsuits filed against them, Sony is now demanding the payment of £100,000 ($188,000) in legal fees by November 1st.
30 October 2006 10:51blackdemon
No surprises there and I don’t blame Play-Asia one bit. Sony don’t have enough PS3s to go round and they are pulling off some pretty drastic measures lately to ensure everything goes as ’smoothly’ as possible.
Personally I don’t think their planning with release dates and manufacturing has gone at all well and they deserve a bit of grief as such a large company should have it sorted months in advance with no excuses.
4 December 2006 22:20firelight
“No surprises there and I don’t blame Play-Asia one bit. Sony don’t have enough PS3s to go round and they are pulling off some pretty drastic measures lately to ensure everything goes as ’smoothly’ as possible.
Personally I don’t think their planning with release dates and manufacturing has gone at all well and they deserve a bit of grief as such a large company should have it sorted months in advance with no excuses.”
By shutting the importers down.
