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Sony are currently in an ongoing battle with a number of retailers over the sale of import PSPs in the UK and Europe. In recent weeks the most vocal retailer has been the independently run ElectricBirdLand. Dan Morelle, Managing Director, ElectricBirdLand Limited has recently stated that he is willing to defend his company’s actions in court. Now he feels that Sony are picking on the smaller retailers.
UK gamers can already buy peripherals for the Sony PSP in high street stores such as HMV, who are obviously catering for the imported console. Gamers can also buy import PSP consoles from a number of high street and online retailers across Europe, including Netherlands, France, Germany, Denmark, Austria, Spain, Italy and Greece.
Dan Morelle, Managing Director, ElectricBirdLand Limited commented: “Sony refuses to admit that the UK gaming industry already has its finger prints all over the PSP and importers are selling to Sony stores, Sony developers and Sony staff. The company’s action against small independent retailers is just another indication of the bully tactics it chooses to deploy whenever it faces a challenge to its industry monopoly.”
Morelle has already received legal guidance on how to proceed: “As a small family run business, I cannot afford the expensive lawyers that Sony has access to at a click of its fingers so I will have to represent. It seems Sony has forgotten the admirable words of its founder Masaru Ibuka who once said “We shall eliminate any unfair profit seeking practices and constantly emphasise activities of real substance“”
It seems that the increased press coverage of the battle over import PSPs has made other online retailers aware of the demand for the handheld. Recently larger online retailers such as Empire Direct and EBuyer have started to sell import machines. Sony will surely have to take action against all retailers who are selling the PSP, and not just the smaller businesses.
With neither Sony nor the retailers seeming willing to stand down, some court appearances seem on the cards. We’ll keep you updated on the situation and anyone keen to follow the Electricbirdland case can keep track of things via Dan Morelle’s blog.
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