Lik-Sang closed because of Sony

[mlrproducts]

If you haven't read it already, head over to HardOCP, Engadget, Slashdot, or Liksang. I had a PS3 preorder from LAST DECEMBER that got cancellled, so now I surely won't be getting a PS3.

I will be boycotting Sony, as shutting down a perfectly legitimate business like Lik-sang crosses the line. If the rootkits didn't do it for you folks, this should (and I was just about to buy a Dreamcast VGA box from them too).

[twoodcc]

wow. and i get updates via email by Lik-Sang. or should i say, did

[MacRumorUser]

Sony you muppets - oh well my plans of getting a US wii have certainly been scuppered. oh well.

It's a real shame - I hope lik-sang fight this, but that may not be financially viable. i have to check play-asia now to see their reaction.

[princealfie]

down with sony... :mad:

[srobert]

I will miss Lik-Sang. I only have good things to say about them.

I will probably still be getting a PS3 but I'll admit I'll feel dirty buying it.

On another note, to be fair, Nintendo and Microsoft also brought Lik Sang to court in the past although not as frequently and aggressively.

Oh the irony:

Furthermore, Sony have failed to disclose to the London High Court that not only the world wide gaming community in more than 100 countries relied on Lik-Sang for their gaming needs, but also Sony Europe's very own top directors repeatedly got their Sony PSP hard or software imports in nicely packed Lik-Sang parcels with free Lik-Sang Mugs or Lik-Sang Badge Holders, starting just two days after Japan's official release, as early as 14th of December 2004 (more than nine months earlier than the legal action). 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.

[LukeW]

That's pretty disgusting. What pisses me off most is that they do it while under the banner of claiming to be protecting the innocent (thats us) from having our shiny new PS3's expode and setting fire to our houses...err robbing us of our stable income and stopping us from putting down a fistful of notes to buy the latest overpriced PS3 game, which is an inevitable sequel to the PS2 game(s), only with better graphics and half the content, the rest you have to buy for extra over on their online store.
I'm sorry Sony, but if you are going to go around closing small business just by dropping 100's of lawsuits into their post boxes until they are unable to get the door open and are forced to close, then at least do us the favour of saving us from the bullcrap and tell us the truth, which is MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY.
Then you will at least treat us like intelligent people, rather than morons who dont know anything about region codes.... OH WAIT A MINUTE....

[Winstonp]

Sony endured many cutbacks in the past 5 years. This is not helping their image one bit.

Shame on you, Sony.

Sir Howard Stringer- I will enjoy my new nintendo system this winter. I hope your PS3 fails like all of your other most recent "innovations".

Check This (http://www.learningcenter.sony.us/assets/itpd/mylo/prod/index.html) out.

[MacRumorUser]

Read Sony's response over at IGN - claiming their European managers and stuff that LikSang has punlically busted - which were ordering import stuff from Lik Sang - were doing for 'research', :rolleyes: what a load of old ****.

[wyatt23]

this is just another example of Sony being able to be one of the most awesome companies in the entire world... and straight up dicking fans over.

sony could be love like apple is loved. and held in very high regard like apple.


ohhh sony. all they manufacture anymore are mistakes.

[madmax_2069]

anyone that still buy's a PS3 should be ashamed for themselves. sony just bit the hand that feeds. and now they should pay the piper. i am up for a sony boycott. i will no longer buy a sony product in my life. lik-sang was a great gaming surplus store and was known for there great import stuff . i bought allot (mostly stuff for dreamcast) from them with no hassles and not one defective part. i will miss you lik-sang. now who's up for some boycotting

[princealfie]

I am boycotting the ps3 because of this... sony is worse than m$ in my opinion! :eek:

[MacRumorUser]

Well since they have now made it hard for me to get an import machine - looks like I'll be boycotting them byproxy anyway.

I wonder what other suppliers who ship to europe will do now.

[mufflon]

oh well - a company that sold ps3s to areas they weren't allowed (well more or less I suppose - not what sony intended anyhow) only means two things:

1) sony is selling way too few units and/or too late in europe and the rest of the world leading to international interest in this kind ofg business (import)

2) units intended to be sold in a certain area will probably be sold there and not reshipped somewhere else.

So in general terms, sony should have reconsidered their business plan before going gold with their ps3.

[MacRumorUser]

Dear valued customer,

unfortunately, Lik Sang is forced to close its virtual doors for good. This
comes as a consequence of the several legal actions brought on us by Sony.
For more information on the situation, please point your browser to the
following link:

http://www.lik-sang.com/news.php?artc=3901

Therefore, as soon as humanly possible, we will cancel all existing orders,
including yours, and issue refunds where necessary.

Please note that it may take anywhere from a few days up to a week or two
for refunds to be processed by PayPal, your bank or your credit card
company, so please don't worry if you don't see it immediately on your
balance statement. You can rest assured that Lik-Sang is monitoring the
situation closely with all involved parties. No single customer will be
caught in the crossfire of this ordeal.

We are sorry to have to go, and we wish to thank you sincerely your support
over the past decade.

Warm regards and a big THANK YOU from the entire Hong Kong crew.

Team Lik-Sang

[mkaake]

I seriously hope that there's a chance of Sony seeing all of the press they're generating on this... and make the right choice to back down. It's happened before on (rare) occasion...

Probably not, but it would be great to see. I've never had that much use for an import company, but I respect their place in the market, and it's sad to see them being pushed out of business because Sony doesn't want them selling consoles to certain areas (WTF?).

[it5five]

Son of a bitch.

I was totally going to buy a nice DS case from lik-sang in a couple days.

[XNine]

Does anyone really know the implications and all the facts behind this yet? No? Well, I'd advise all of you not to run your mouths until you do. Lik-Sang could be in deep trouble if they were producing and selling counterfeit products, which, is no big secret that Hong Kong "companies" are infamous for. For those who don't know, Hong Kong has a great export market for pirated movies, games, anime, and other digital media. It's possible that this company was doing just that. Of course, it's also possible that they are one of the few honest Hong Kong companies around.

Is Sony wrong in this? Possibly. Is Lik-Sang? Possibly.

As one level-headed poster at Engadget says:

As a businessman I understand fully why Sony did what they did. As a gamer I am sorry to see Lik-Sang go.

Let's face facts though they were a black/grey market company that skirted trade laws. While Sony will take the blame for this in tech circles...Nintendo, MS, and countless other electronic manufacturers will reap the benefits also without the bad PR.

If Lik-Sang were breaking trade laws, then Sony didn't do it just to spite all of you, despite what you may think.

[MacRumorUser]

^ Oni. What got your knickers in a twist?

The facts are there - the law suit Sony won in the UK was because a high court judge agreed that importing into EU without the manufactuers consent is illegal. That's it.



Its Sony's sudden decision to clamp down and close the doors - bizzare when they finally promise to release 'region free gaming' . It's just madness on their part.


I've been a customer of Lik-Sang for over 7 years.

Lik-Sang dont sell ripped off Sony or other manufacturers hardware at all.

Just because there is piracy in the East, does not mean every retailer should be tarred with the same brush.

I've bought my dreamcast, panasonic Q, psp, gamecube & ps2 from them, as well as many other products all official. They aren't shady.

---

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6076354.stm?ls

[XNine]

If Lik-Sang did not have approval to distribute the merchandise, then that is a legal matter. Sony, regardless if it's "right" or not, did handle this matter legally. The court would not have ruled the way it did if there wasn't a clear, decisive breach of how the business was distributing this merchandise.

That's all I'm saying.

[mac000]

sony was probably just mad bc of their battery recall, heh.

[sikkinixx]

sucks for Europeans, probably great for Sony's stockholders

[sysiphus]

Darn. So much for my gettting a LS shipment sent out tomorrow...

[XNine]

sony was probably just mad bc of their battery recall, heh.

Yes, that makes a lot of ****ing sense. :rolleyes:

[DISCOMUNICATION]

Wow Wikipedia updated their definition of Lik-Sang pretty fast. It now refers to them in the past tense. Can't say this effects me much. I had an acoount with them but only used it once. I prefer going to PlayAsia (http://www.play-asia.com/), YesAsia (http://yesasia.com/), eStarland (http://www.estarland.com), and National Console Support Center (http://ncsx.com/) first before checking Lik-Sang. I must admit I am worried about what this means for the future of import gaming.

[2nyRiggz]

Its really sad to see this company get shut down but lik-Sang had this problem from the get go. All of the major gaming companies gave them hassle over what they do but sony was the closer.

Boycotting...I'm sorry but thats just not the way. Sad time for gamers but great time for ALL gaming companies so if you want to boycott go on and gut the industry not Sony because everyone had there hand in it.


Bless

[Tucom]

What are you guys talking about?! I just got onto Lik-Sang perfectly...and it appears to be in perfect condition!



Peace

[eva01]

What are you guys talking about?! I just got onto Lik-Sang perfectly...and it appears to be in perfect condition!



Peace

apparently you can't read the bold words that say they are out of business, under the latest news or whatever it is called

[stagecustom]

just stick with the 360 or wii. :rolleyes::p

[SamIchi]

Wait so what happened? Can someone explain this lawsuit jargon stuff to me. I'm not really good with that stuff. I never used Lik-Sang anyways, although I did visit the site many times to look at the cool import items. :D

[coal]

Apparently, Sony Executives were patrons of Lik-Sang!

"Furthermore, Sony have failed to disclose to the London High Court that not only the world wide gaming community in more than 100 countries relied on Lik-Sang for their gaming needs, but also Sony Europe's very own top directors repeatedly got their Sony PSP hard or software imports in nicely packed Lik-Sang parcels with free Lik-Sang Mugs or Lik-Sang Badge Holders, starting just two days after Japan's official release, as early as 14th of December 2004 (more than nine months earlier than the legal action). 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."

Death to Sony, seriously.

[XNine]

And Lik-Sang is obviously innocent, since, you know, they didn't even show up to court. http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=69077

They didn't go after Lik-Sang itself, but a parent company that's responsible for the whole debacle.

Not to mention that Nintendo had also gone after the parent company in what, 2003? So, Sony is the only one that's been pissed at these guys? I think not.

edit: Yup, Nintendo sued Lik-Sang in 03 for selling devices intended to copy GB games. http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=1816

So, to anyone who thinks Sony is the only "evil bastard" out there, which, all of you are all Nintendo fans, may want to read up on this company's history with other companies.

They were also sued in 2002 by Sony, NINTENDO, and Microsoft. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2002/10/16/liksang_lives_minus_modchips/

All three big names have had a hand in suing this company before.

[it5five]

Yes, all three companies had sued Lik-Sang in the past, but it was Sony that threatened to file continuous lawsuits against Lik-Sang currently. It wasn't Nintendo that was currently threatening Lik-Sang, and it surprisingly wasnt Microsoft. It was Sony. Sony did the same thing with Bleem before. They just keep filing continuous suits against a company to drain them.

It's funny seeing the Sony fanboys trying to defend this bully tactic; especially for people who have claimed to criticize all three next-gen systems.

[mlrproducts]

And Lik-Sang is obviously innocent, since, you know, they didn't even show up to court. http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=69077

They didn't go after Lik-Sang itself, but a parent company that's responsible for the whole debacle.

Not to mention that Nintendo had also gone after the parent company in what, 2003? So, Sony is the only one that's been pissed at these guys? I think not.

edit: Yup, Nintendo sued Lik-Sang in 03 for selling devices intended to copy GB games. http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=1816

So, to anyone who thinks Sony is the only "evil bastard" out there, which, all of you are all Nintendo fans, may want to read up on this company's history with other companies.

They were also sued in 2002 by Sony, NINTENDO, and Microsoft. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2002/10/16/liksang_lives_minus_modchips/

All three big names have had a hand in suing this company before.

WTF? Nintendo sued them for selling "modchips" of sorts (software, whatever you want to call it). Sony sued them for SELLING SONY FREAKING PRODUCTS EXACTLY AS THEY GOT THEM, from SONY!

There is a difference. I can understand Nintendo suing, but Sony is just being a gready blippity beep. (I mean after all, European gamers don't mind waiting. Perhaps eBay should be sued next?)

You earlier made a statement that since the court ruled it illegal, that it was. Apparently you know nothing about the US court system (yes, I understand the ruling was in the UK). My point is, just because ONE FREAKING JUDGE makes a ruling doesn't mean something is actually illegal (or there would be no need for higher courts).

[mkaake]

WTF? Nintendo sued them for selling "modchips" of sorts (software, whatever you want to call it). Sony sued them for SELLING SONY FREAKING PRODUCTS EXACTLY AS THEY GOT THEM, from SONY!

There is a difference. I can understand Nintendo suing, but Sony is just being a gready blippity beep. (I mean after all, European gamers don't mind waiting. Perhaps eBay should be sued next?)

You earlier made a statement that since the court ruled it illegal, that it was. Apparently you know nothing about the US court system (yes, I understand the ruling was in the UK). My point is, just because ONE FREAKING JUDGE makes a ruling doesn't mean something is actually illegal (or there would be no need for higher courts).

yes, but that's ignoring the obvious. for certain posters, any news that might sound anti-sony, and therefor anti-ps3 are just plain slander and misunderstood.

always.

If this was flipped, and Nintendo had shut them down, those very same posters would be all over these boards talking about how horrible the actions were.

As is, news like this will always show who the true fanboys are...

[zap2]

yes, but that's ignoring the obvious. for certain posters, any news that might sound anti-sony, and therefor anti-ps3 are just plain slander and misunderstood.

always.

If this was flipped, and Nintendo had shut them down, those very same posters would be all over these boards talking about how horrible the actions were.

As is, news like this will always show who the true fanboys are...


No...if Nintendo had shut down Lik-sang I'd be pissed(asumming the did it because lik-sang was resaling DS/Wiis, if it was illegal mod chips I can see why they dued

[MacRumorUser]

LikSang did stock the GBA copy cartridge a good few years ago. This was there pinnacle of debauchery and it lasted about 6 months, wow... Nintendo sued Lik Sang and so Lik-Sang stopped selling them period and have not sold anything which enable piracy on any format since.




This ACTION was NOT about Sony stopping piracy or such, it was about them throwing their weight around and controlling the market. It was a complete bully boy tactic that has won.

If M$ had done somthing like this - this forum would be up in arms, fighting the oppresion and callling for a boycott.

Lik Sang sold genuine Sony products, with genuine Sony ac mulit-voltage adaptors (There was never any question over the legitamacy of their sony products - or safety either).

Now If I want to play NTSC games or Japanese games in the UK - sony have closed the door on me importing a console on a legitimate avenue.

Now the only way to play import games is to Mod Chip my machine, so what have they actually achieved ? Feck All....

[Haoshiro]

Yes, all three companies had sued Lik-Sang in the past, but it was Sony that threatened to file continuous lawsuits against Lik-Sang currently. It wasn't Nintendo that was currently threatening Lik-Sang, and it surprisingly wasnt Microsoft. It was Sony. Sony did the same thing with Bleem before. They just keep filing continuous suits against a company to drain them.

It's funny seeing the Sony fanboys trying to defend this bully tactic; especially for people who have claimed to criticize all three next-gen systems.

I had almost forgotten the "bleem!" incident, now there is something that angered me!

This company is more corrupt then Microsoft it seems, and certainly less liked.

If it weren't for a handful of decent exclusive games there probably would be very few Sony fans (e.g. MGS, FF)

[mkaake]

No...if Nintendo had shut down Lik-sang I'd be pissed(asumming the did it because lik-sang was resaling DS/Wiis, if it was illegal mod chips I can see why they dued

Oh I know... I think we'd all be a lot more okay with this if it had been a matter of selling mod chips or pirated software... my other post was directed at the fact that pretty much all of the internet is in agreement that this sucks, there's very little cause for it... and then...

Out come the people who think that anything anti-sony is anti their beloved PS3, and so no matter what the news is... they'll spin it to positive.

But any notions of fanboys aside - I really have a hard time seeing why Sony decided that this was an issue. They're all excited about region free, and then they go and shut down a company for making the PS3 available to markets that they weren't ready to sell to. I mean... I really don't get it. There's no logic that I can see to support that action. I'm sure someone somewhere had *some* reason for it, but I'm just not seeing it on my own.

[MacRumorUser]

I'm sure someone somewhere had *some* reason for it, but I'm just not seeing it on my own.

The only thing I can think of is (ignoring first stock price hikes) to protect retailers...

The retail price for ps3 USA is $599 - £319 - as opposed to £465 retail in the UK - so maybe they were protecting their European retailers.

However - all big imports from Lik-Sang still end up getting caught for customs dutys & taxes - so 17.5% VAT UK or 21% Ireland + extra customs charges :- would have still to be added to the cheaper price, making it closer or the same as the official retail anyway.

So it simply does not make sense that way either. The kind of person who imports a console (like me) is doing so - because they want to open the door to foreign titles and games which take forever/ if at all - to be released in Europe.

So if i'm playing a game that was never going to be released in Europe, how does that affect a retailer ?


By forcefully closing down doors to places where I could buy a legitimate ntsc machine (sony have closed the door here to the place I was going to get a USA wii) all it does is promote users to mod their machines, as the desire to play the foreign titles for those that import does not wain simply because Sony say you cant have an NTSC console.



This is not an Anti-piracy measure - hence sony's statement not mentioning piracy at all. And claiming it was because they feared powerpacks might explode (even though THEY supply 100-240v adapters themselves with the likes of the psp)

Pirates simply would NOT use places like Lik-Sang as they want things for free and would rather torrent files than legitimately purchase games.

-----------

So it really does make little sense at the end of the day, and hence this is the reason I assume nintendo & microsoft are not too pushed about legitimate importing.

There is no defense to a nasty offense.

[princealfie]

Does anyone really know the implications and all the facts behind this yet? No? Well, I'd advise all of you not to run your mouths until you do. Lik-Sang could be in deep trouble if they were producing and selling counterfeit products, which, is no big secret that Hong Kong "companies" are infamous for. For those who don't know, Hong Kong has a great export market for pirated movies, games, anime, and other digital media. It's possible that this company was doing just that. Of course, it's also possible that they are one of the few honest Hong Kong companies around.

Is Sony wrong in this? Possibly. Is Lik-Sang? Possibly.

As one level-headed poster at Engadget says:



If Lik-Sang were breaking trade laws, then Sony didn't do it just to spite all of you, despite what you may think.

You are such a Sony fanboy aren't you?

[princealfie]

yes, but that's ignoring the obvious. for certain posters, any news that might sound anti-sony, and therefor anti-ps3 are just plain slander and misunderstood.

always.

If this was flipped, and Nintendo had shut them down, those very same posters would be all over these boards talking about how horrible the actions were.

As is, news like this will always show who the true fanboys are...

Of course, that one must never kowtow to the corporate mentality. I don't care who it is. Support the underground gaming movement.

[XNine]

You are such a Sony fanboy aren't you?

Like most of the people in here you've provided a childish response. Apparently you have little to no understanding at all of the legal implications of this case. The fact that the other two big name companies have sued them simply implies that if they hadn't, Lik-Sang may have been in a financial position to fight Sony in court.

If M$ had done somthing like this - this forum would be up in arms, fighting the oppresion and callling for a boycott.

It isn't up in arms already? ;)

The problem that people are not seeing is that there are definitely legal reasons for doing this. The court would not have ruled in Sony's favor if
A: They had no case
B: If Lik-Sang actually showed up and fought this in court.

You're probably right that they are doing it to protect local retailers within the region. They have a right and a responsibility to do such for their licensed retailers.

But, since I'm such a "Sony Fanboy" I'm obviously wrong here. :rolleyes:

[MacRumorUser]

B: If Lik-Sang actually showed up and fought this in court.


Yeah I cant believe they didnt have someone representing them. That's plain madness too. Basically they handed it to Sony on a plate by doing that, how could a judge rule otherwise when the defendant wasnt even represented at the case.

but two wrongs dont make a right though do they ? :o and it's only people like me who suffer.

My biggest concern is filling the gap and finding somewhere where I can get a USA wii. I'm not buying a european wii, period. Nintendo have **** on my doorstep too many times in the past with very poor pal conversions, games that take forever to get out / if at all and a total lack of interest on their part in Europe.

All my Cube titles 80+ are NTSC and so to play them on a Wii I need USA.

With PS3, i was always going to buy that here as it was simpler, especially since the games are region free anyway. I'll continue to purchase all my games from the likes of Play-Asia though where I can get PS3/360 games for €35-40 as opposed to €75 in the retailers here.

[sikkinixx]

You earlier made a statement that since the court ruled it illegal, that it was. Apparently you know nothing about the US court system (yes, I understand the ruling was in the UK). My point is, just because ONE FREAKING JUDGE makes a ruling doesn't mean something is actually illegal (or there would be no need for higher courts).


You make it seem like the good old US of A has the perfect law structure. I seem to remember a woman spilling coffee on herself and suing Mcdonalds because she didn't know it was hot? hmm...

The judge set a precedent, they do that in the US too ya know, and unless Lik-Sang wants to appeal to a higher court, then thats how its gonna stay.

[MacRumorUser]

The judge set a precedent, they do that in the US too ya know, and unless Lik-Sang wants to appeal to a higher court, then thats how its gonna stay.

The judge had no choice, the EU outlines clearly state that importing goods into europe without the manufacturers consent is illegal.

Sony said no they didnt give permision and objected.

LikSang never represented itself at the trial.

The judge had NO choice but to follow the EU guidelines and make his ruling.


Still a sorry state of affairs regardless.

[sikkinixx]

The judge had no choice, the EU outlines clearly state that importing goods into europe without the manufacturers consent is illegal.

Sony said no they didnt give permision and objected.

LikSang never represented itself at the trial.

The judge had NO choice but to follow the EU guidelines and make his ruling.


Still a sorry state of affairs regardless.

Ah, that makes some sense. Thanks!

The thing that makes me roll my eyes at all this is everyone keeps hinting (or shouting) the fact that Sony must hate its customers, and it is greedy and blah blah. Well no kidding. Sony, like every other company, doesn't care about you. It cares about its stockholders. This move will probably make Sony some money somewhere along the line. Importing probably pisses Sony, Nintendo and MS off because then the EU people are getting games for regular price, not the inflated EU price. Sony decided to take the PR hit and now Nintendo and MS will benefit no?

[Dagless]

I go away for 10 days and this happens. I was planning on buying a few things from LS too. if Sony are to blame for this then the chances of me spending any money on Sony products again drops to zero. LS was a life line to us Brits, at least to me.

[XNine]

I go away for 10 days and this happens.

Did you have a nice vacation, at least?

[Dagless]

Did you have a nice vacation, at least?

Not really. Acute food poisoning for half of it, sharing bedrooms, too hot. Wasn't my cup of tea. :o

[greatdevourer]

If Lik-Sang did not have approval to distribute the merchandise, then that is a legal matter. Sony, regardless if it's "right" or not, did handle this matter legally. The court would not have ruled the way it did if there wasn't a clear, decisive breach of how the business was distributing this merchandise.

That's all I'm saying. If that's your viewpoint, then surely eBay is illegal, too?

And Lik-Sang is obviously innocent, since, you know, they didn't even show up to court. http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=69077

They didn't go after Lik-Sang itself, but a parent company that's responsible for the whole debacle.

Not to mention that Nintendo had also gone after the parent company in what, 2003? So, Sony is the only one that's been pissed at these guys? I think not.

edit: Yup, Nintendo sued Lik-Sang in 03 for selling devices intended to copy GB games. http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=1816

So, to anyone who thinks Sony is the only "evil bastard" out there, which, all of you are all Nintendo fans, may want to read up on this company's history with other companies.

They were also sued in 2002 by Sony, NINTENDO, and Microsoft. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2002/10/16/liksang_lives_minus_modchips/

All three big names have had a hand in suing this company before. Read your own links, fool

[Dagless]

Furthermore, Sony have failed to disclose to the London High Court that not only the world wide gaming community in more than 100 countries relied on Lik-Sang for their gaming needs

Sony and Europe again? What the **** is their problem with our continent. Hey you guys delayed consoles over here, surprise surprise Sony we're not all living in caravans in Romania. Some of us can afford to import. A worldwide launch would have solved this problem.
I thought Nintendo urinated on us with the lack of progressive support on the Cube, the occasional cut down GBA games (Mario Advance 4) and the region locking.

[MacRumorUser]

Sony and Europe again? What the **** is their problem with our continent. Hey you guys delayed consoles over here, surprise surprise Sony we're not all living in caravans in Romania. Some of us can afford to import. A worldwide launch would have solved this problem.
I thought Nintendo urinated on us with the lack of progressive support on the Cube, the occasional cut down GBA games (Mario Advance 4) and the region locking.

Too True.

No it seems Microsoft are the only ones who actually have europe in regard. Mybe because they cant rely on Japan.

Simultaneous console release (or as close to it), games that get released the same week in USA & Europe.. Region free gaming if publsihers choose to do so (most do).


My biggest fear with Nintendo & Standard Definition - is that NTSC & PAL problems / conversions are going to persist were going to be left waiting again for piss poor 1/4 inch borders conversions of games yet again - hence my decision to buy an import machine.

360 games sorted this because the maority of them are 60hz only anyway.

Oh well - time will tell...

[greatdevourer]

Sony and Europe again? What the **** is their problem with our continent. Hey you guys delayed consoles over here, surprise surprise Sony we're not all living in caravans in Romania. Some of us can afford to import. A worldwide launch would have solved this problem.
I thought Nintendo urinated on us with the lack of progressive support on the Cube, the occasional cut down GBA games (Mario Advance 4) and the region locking. This brings up a question I've failed to find an answer for - are we getting screwed over again this generation on prog?

[bobber205]

Sony and Europe again? What the **** is their problem with our continent. Hey you guys delayed consoles over here, surprise surprise Sony we're not all living in caravans in Romania. Some of us can afford to import. A worldwide launch would have solved this problem.
I thought Nintendo urinated on us with the lack of progressive support on the Cube, the occasional cut down GBA games (Mario Advance 4) and the region locking.

What did they do to Mario Advance 4?:eek:

[Dagless]

What did they do to Mario Advance 4?:eek:

It isn't much, but they removed the e-reader support. I would have loved to play the secret unlockable world in the US version too, seeing that SMB3 is godlike and that.

As for Prog scan. We're okay. NoE comfirmed Europe will certainly be getting 480p.

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=69106
Nintendo UK has sorted out a bit of confusion about whether it will sell its component (i.e. progressive-scan capable) Nintendo Wii cables in the shops.

Earlier this week, IGN reported that American gamers would be forced to buy their US$ 29.99 component cables off the Internet, through Nintendo's store, Best Buy, Circuit City or EB Games.

But, says Nintendo, that shouldn't be the case over here. "At present in the UK we plan to sell Wii accessories through the normal retail channels," we were told this afternoon.

Nintendo Wii supports pretty much every TV ever, despite its quirky new control system, but with its competitors banging the "high definition" drum pretty hard, Nintendo recently reconfirmed that it will support 480p resolution.

And, having seen the system several times since E3, we can confirm that it looks very pretty when they do.

[greatdevourer]

It isn't much, but they removed the e-reader support. I would have loved to play the secret unlockable world in the US version too, seeing that SMB3 is godlike and that.

As for Prog scan. We're okay. NoE comfirmed Europe will certainly be getting 480p.

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=69106 Sounds pretty cool

And, for those who haven't seen it yet:
http://www.little-gamers.com/comics/00001464.jpg

[Krevnik]

The facts are there - the law suit Sony won in the UK was because a high court judge agreed that importing into EU without the manufactuers consent is illegal. That's it.

Its Sony's sudden decision to clamp down and close the doors - bizzare when they finally promise to release 'region free gaming' . It's just madness on their part.

<snip>

Just because there is piracy in the East, does not mean every retailer should be tarred with the same brush.

I've bought my dreamcast, panasonic Q, psp, gamecube & ps2 from them, as well as many other products all official. They aren't shady.


I agree that Lik-Sang has been pretty stand-up compared to some other HK companies. However, their handling of this lawsuit makes me wonder how shady they are willing to be.

They claim the lawsuits (and they do clearly state multiple) caused too many legal fees. All two of them. The second one took place without any legal representation on the side of Lik-Sang. That really leaves the damages in this latest ruling probably being the deciding factor. Damages haven't even been determined yet in this case.

Hmm... /interesting/. A company folding after a judgement, but before damages can be awarded by the judge, in a case where the defendant spent maybe 70$ defending itself via the legal letter written to the court? That is enough to set my BS detector off. My guess? Lik-Sang's founders want to dodge paying the damages, and so is folding the company so there is no entity that can pay the damages. Then they can reform under a different name, and continue business, probably minus Sony hardware.

No offense to the Lik-Sang fans... I am one of them... but Lik-Sang is essentially pointing blame at Sony while doing the legal shuffle behind the curtain, so that nobody cares about what Lik-Sang is doing, and focuses on Sony's 'effect' on Lik-Sang.

Both Sony and Lik-Sang are acting within the (convoluted) law of their regions. The Japanese PSP boxes themselves had 'For sale only in Japan' marked on them in English, and the judge took that as evidence that Sony was making their lack of consent clear on the importing of hardware.

I will just get some popcorn and enjoy the show as it continues... maybe we will see "Sik-Lang" in the future?

[Bobdude161]

And, for those who haven't seen it yet:
http://www.little-gamers.com/comics/00001464.jpg


Ohhhh served!

[radio893fm]

Have yu guys actually read the reason they have been sued? Then go and do your homework... if instead of Sony the name was Apple... then you will be so happy about it and giving Apple the right, as you always do!

[Dagless]

Have yu guys actually read the reason they have been sued? Then go and do your homework... if instead of Sony the name was Apple... then you will be so happy about it and giving Apple the right, as you always do!

You sir, nah you can't call names. it's a banning offence.
Instead could we ban this kid? He's too young to be using the internet to start with.

[MacRumorUser]

Have yu guys actually read the reason they have been sued? Then go and do your homework... if instead of Sony the name was Apple... then you will be so happy about it and giving Apple the right, as you always do!

Actually it is you who needs to do the research. :rolleyes:

Try reading my posts on this thread - I've explained 3 or 4 times the reason.

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=245317&page=2 #45


What is it with these arrogant ignoramuses' who come rushing into posts half way through - shouting the odds and calling down everyone, and yet they cant seem to spend a few minutes to actually read all the posts prior fully. They wind me up chronic.

[XNine]

If that's your viewpoint, then surely eBay is illegal, too?

It's not my viewpoint, I didn't make the ruling, did I? No. The European courts did.

Read your own links, fool

Wtf are you talking about, I did read them. :confused:

Jimmi, sorry to hear your vacation sucked. Here's hoping the next one is better!

They wind me up chronic. In blunt or joint form?

[MacRumorUser]

In blunt or joint form?

both at the same time ;) :p :D

[2nyRiggz]

^You are making me drool..STOP IT!:)



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