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Platform Filters:   All Platforms  Xbox   GameCube   PlayStation 2   PC   Game Boy Advance   Site Sections:   Updates  News   Games   Publishers   Developers   Reviews   Previews   Release Dates   Editorials   Glossary   Contact Us		Latest News:       6th June 2005: Bully boy Sony?  Copyright or copywrong, Sony's new baby maybe in a spot of bother before it even launches in Europe. Posted by Chris Snook - - UK and Europe Recently it has been a bad few months for Sony on the patent and trademark front. A few months ago it was hit with a multi-million dollar fine for apparently infringing the patent over the design of the vibration motor in the DualShock controllers. Now it is being accused of trying to 'bully' some internet traders in Europe. It hinges on the rumoured revelation that some of the abbreviations and names used by Sony are not actually owned as trade marks by them, yet they are being used in cease and desist letters to a number of those traders ahead of the launch later this year. It seems that with a search of the correct sites it transpires that some Sony rivals either own the trade marks or are contesting ownership, these include the PSP abbreviation itself and the usage of UMD (Universal media Disk) the proprietary storage medium of the PSP. There are even claims that some elements of the operating system are not covered either. What this could mean is that the launch of the PSP is delayed or in the absolute worst case scenario Sony will have to perform a costly re-branding exercise in Europe. More when it wanders out. Chris Snook
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