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Sony to Battle Early Release of PS3

Piracy concerns are rampant these days at the corporations of major international cable networks, who see losses of revenues from citizens in their countries downloading television shows at home, shows aired abroad and which when broadcast on local TV bring in advertising revenues. Likewise, another concern is that movies which are released in one country will be downloaded at home, denying local movie theaters and movie production companies millions of dollars in revenues from those viewers who opt to stay at home.

Now gaming systems are being drawn into the mix. Sony Corporation of Japan has stated that under no uncertain terms would the company tolerate the release of its upcoming PlayStation 3 system into Europe before the planned debut date. A spokesman for Sony Computer Entertainment Europe told British television, "The law is clear, and grey importing PS2, PSP or PS3 into the EU, without the express permission of SCEE is illegal. Therefore, we will utilize the full scope of the law to put a stop to any retailers who chose to do this."

The "PS3" is being released in the United States and Japan this coming November, but will not be released to European consumers until early 2007. The concern is that foreign suppliers will buy PS3s in markets where it is for sale, transport them overseas, and then resell them in Europe or other markets before Sony itself can arrange for distribution agreements with European retailers. European consumers are countering Sony`s tactics, saying they have to wait longer for a more expensive product.