Industry News | Lik-Sang To Cease Trading

After increasing lawsuits and judgements regarding import issues about Sony products over the past few months or so, Hong Kong based gaming retailer Lik-Sang has been forced to close down. From now on, new orders for the online store will no longer be accepted, and all existing orders such as pre-orders will be refunded. Pascal Clarysse, former marketing manager, of Lik-Sang, had this to say about the decision:

"Today is Sony Europe victory about PSP, tomorrow is Sony Europe's ongoing pressure about PlayStation 3. With this precedent set, next week could already be the stage for complaints from Sony America about the same thing, or from other console manufacturers about other consoles to other regions, or even from any publisher about any specific software title to any country they don't see fit. It's the beginning of the end... of the World as we know it".

The problems arising between Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and Lik-Sang.com started in the summer of 2005, with a lawsuit regarding the sale of Japanese PSP systems to European markets. In the High Court of Hong Kong, Sony argued that the aforementioned website advertised the Sony products "in a dishonest manner" and "unlawfully interferes with Sony's economical interests". They also filed a similar lawsuit in the English courts, which Lik-Sang lost, and the pressure of multiple expensive lawsuits has unfortunately caused the website to cease trading.

A Sony representative speaking to GamesIndustry.biz earlier this month explains "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; is not - in PS3's case - backwards compatible with either PS1 or PS2 software; will not play European Blu-Ray movies or DVDs; and will not be covered by warranty."

This latest news comes after yesterday's newest statement from Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, explaining they will "utilise the full scope of the law" to stop many other online retailers and websites from selling imported PlayStation 3 consoles over the internet.

Here at Cubed3, we are sad to see the departure of Lik-Sang.com, an affiliate of our website for many years, helping with our competitions and also promoting sales through the Cubed3 store. We wish the staff of the company all the best for the future, and we will be the first to inform you of any new developments on the import scene.