Sony forces Lik-Sang out of business

AS RECENTLY AS last week, Sony filed multiple legal actions against the immensely popular grey-import company Lik-Sang.com regarding the importing of PSP (now dubbed PlaySatanPortable by the INQ) hardware.

Unforunately the minnow that is Lik-Sang cannot afford to battle the might of Sony and has given notice of its closure.

A Sony spokesperson declined to comment directly on the lawsuit against Lik-Sang, but recently spoke to Gamesindustry.biz stating that "Ultimately, we're trying to protect consumers from being sold hardware that does not conform to strict EU or UK consumer safety standards, due to voltage supply differences et cetera".

Lik-Sang points out that the Lik-Sang products contained genuine Sony 100V-240V AC Adapters that carry CE and other safety marks and are compatible world-wide, and that all PSP consoles were in conformity with all EU and UK consumer safety regulations.

So what safety concerns Sony can actually tangibly claim, is beyond anyone's guess.

It must be noted that what Lik-Sang is doing has been found to be illegal by a UK High-Court ruling. "The acts of which the complaint is made have, in my view, been perpetrated not in Hong Kong but here in the EEA, and without Sony's consent," stated the judge, in favor of Sony.

Lik-Sang argue that they're based in Hong-Kong and thus are not liable to UK legislature. What ever happened to free world trade?

Possibly the most damaging news for Sony, and something that has caused this hack to laugh uncontrollably at Sony's expense, concerns the naming and shaming of multiple European Sony executives who purchased Sony PSP hardware and software through Lik-Sang on the console's launch in Japan in 2004. Brilliant touch guys.

The statement reads: "The list of PSP related Sony Europe orders reads like the who's who of the videogames industry, and includes Ray Maguire (Managing Director, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd), Alan Duncan (UK Marketing Director, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd), Chris Sorrell (Creative Director, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd), Rob Parkin (Development Director, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited), just to name a few".

Pascal Clarysse, [former] Marketing Manager of Lik-Sang.com spoke-up against Sony, saying: "Blame it on Sony. That's the latest dark spot in their shameful track record as gaming industry leader".

Don't worry if you've recently ordered from Lik-Sang. The public notice from Lik-Sang, says that Lik-Sang will honour customer orders with full-refunds, stating:

"Lik-Sang is working closely with banks and PayPal to refund any store credits held by the company, and the customer support department is taking care of any open transactions such as pending RMAs or repairs and shipping related matters. The staff of Lik-Sang will make sure that nobody will get hurt in the crossfire of this ordeal."

We hope you're happy putting a friendly, customer-orientated, well-run company out of business, Sony. Lets hope it's worth it, your bottom line really needs a lift after your $427 million battery fiasco. µ

See also
Xbox 360 sells out in Japan, PS3 cables cost extra
Playstation shenanigans outed, dissected
Shortages of PS3s hit US/Japan
Sony PS3 delayed in Europe