PatrickL
06-Jun-2005, 17:09
Just read here (http://www.gamesindustry.biz/news.php?aid=9290)
ElectricBirdLand defies Cease and Desist orders.
Speaking exclusively to GamesIndustry.biz, Dan Morelle - managing director of online store ElectricBirdLand - has claimed the European launch of PSP could be delayed as Sony has yet to register vital trademarks.
Morelle also slammed Sony’s attempts to prevent UK retailers importing and selling US and Japanese PSPs, telling GI.biz: "Sony has a dominant position within the gaming industry, but the threat of legal action makes them no more than a playground bully.
"Their approach to business is to throw money and brute force at a problem until it is resolved. The industry is sick of Sony using its financial backing to control the market," he added.
Morelle's comments are in response to Cease and Desist orders issued by Sony's lawyers, which instruct retailers to stop selling imported PSPs on the grounds that this infringes trademarks.
However, ElectricBirdLand argues that Sony has so far failed to register key PSP technologies, trademarks and software, and that the Cease and Desist orders can only refer to the 'PlayStation' trademark as a result.
"Sony's failure to secure these trademarks could potentially lead to further delays to the European launch of the PSP, or could result in the costly re-branding of a product which has already proved to be a hit in the US and Japan," EBL said.
Morelle points out that the 'PSP' initials are currently used by UK firm Owtanet Ltd for their Owtanet PSP software, standing for Publishing, Shopping and Profiles.
An Owtanet representative confirmed to GamesIndustry.biz that it registered the PSP trademark in 2000, but declined to offer further comment as "legal proceedings are currently underway."
ElectricBirdLand defies Cease and Desist orders.
Speaking exclusively to GamesIndustry.biz, Dan Morelle - managing director of online store ElectricBirdLand - has claimed the European launch of PSP could be delayed as Sony has yet to register vital trademarks.
Morelle also slammed Sony’s attempts to prevent UK retailers importing and selling US and Japanese PSPs, telling GI.biz: "Sony has a dominant position within the gaming industry, but the threat of legal action makes them no more than a playground bully.
"Their approach to business is to throw money and brute force at a problem until it is resolved. The industry is sick of Sony using its financial backing to control the market," he added.
Morelle's comments are in response to Cease and Desist orders issued by Sony's lawyers, which instruct retailers to stop selling imported PSPs on the grounds that this infringes trademarks.
However, ElectricBirdLand argues that Sony has so far failed to register key PSP technologies, trademarks and software, and that the Cease and Desist orders can only refer to the 'PlayStation' trademark as a result.
"Sony's failure to secure these trademarks could potentially lead to further delays to the European launch of the PSP, or could result in the costly re-branding of a product which has already proved to be a hit in the US and Japan," EBL said.
Morelle points out that the 'PSP' initials are currently used by UK firm Owtanet Ltd for their Owtanet PSP software, standing for Publishing, Shopping and Profiles.
An Owtanet representative confirmed to GamesIndustry.biz that it registered the PSP trademark in 2000, but declined to offer further comment as "legal proceedings are currently underway."