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Live By IP, Die By IP: Sony PS3s Seized By EU Customs For Violating Patents

from the karma dept

Fri, Mar 11th 2011 4:20pm — Mike Masnick

We've been talking about how ridiculously aggressive Sony has been lately in enforcing its intellectual property rights concerning PS3s, so it seems like there might be a bit of karmic retribution in the fact that a shipment of PS3s has been seized in Europe as part of an ongoing legal fight with LG over patents covering parts of the PS3. I'm always amazed at how frequently companies who push for stronger and stronger enforcement of IP laws never seem to consider the consequences when those laws are directed at their own activities. While a court has just lifted the injunction, the issue is far from over. Back here in the US, the ITC is starting its own investigation into LG's claims and could issue an injunction against importing PS3s as well.

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Filed Under: europe, injunctions, patents, ps3
Companies: lg, sony

11 Comments

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Anonymous Coward, 11 Mar 2011 @ 4:44pm

I thought, seriously about the scenario where in a company is moved to place factories in countries that refuse to allow import of items that "violate" patents. When the absurdity reaches Mexican standoff. The American oligarch will go crying to their cronies at the WIPO. That's coming in 5,4,3....
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Steven (profile), 11 Mar 2011 @ 4:44pm

The ban has already been lifted, and I think LG got fined in some way.
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- Anonymous Coward, 11 Mar 2011 @ 6:17pm
  
  Re:
  lg got fined? where's your proof!
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  - Anonymous Coward, 11 Mar 2011 @ 7:45pm
    
    Re: Re:
    found this website / story on NewsNow and am only replying because all this went down last week, March 2nd to be precise. LG have to pay Sony 130,000 Euro in damages and all PS3's have been returned to Sony http://tech2.in.com/india/news/gaming-consoles/sony-gets-seized-ps3s-in-europe-released-lg-fined/1 97712/0
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- Bengie, 11 Mar 2011 @ 6:34pm
  
  Re:
  Why would LG get fined unless they provided false information. If the courts ordered it, then it's the court's fault.
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Beta (profile), 11 Mar 2011 @ 6:10pm

Lost Sales
PS3s seized by customs? But... but who profits from that?
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- Liz, 11 Mar 2011 @ 6:21pm
  
  Re: Lost Sales
  The guys at the Customs office playing the latest FIFA game.
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Mar 2011 @ 6:18pm

anytime sony gets hit in the market place I am happy.
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Anonymous Coward, 12 Mar 2011 @ 10:22am

Why is it that the principals here seem to be of the view that companies are unable to entertain the fact that what they use against others may be used against them?

Of course they know this, so to suggest they are ignorant is simply wrong.
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- The eejit (profile), 12 Mar 2011 @ 2:02pm
  
  Re:
  Sony fired the first shot over mobile tech, so LG fired back over Blu-ray. Bit silly, really.
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- Chargone (profile), 12 Mar 2011 @ 2:22pm
  
  Re:
  because ignorance is less insulting than stupidity, and it is polite to give people the benefit of the doubt when there is no significant evidence to the contrary on a given issue.
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