In a recent legal battle Sony defeated Lik-Sang, an online retailer and importer of Sony consoles to Europe. They state that it was because they are attempting 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

I think people who are buying import consoles are smarter than Sony gives us credit for. We're not idiots, we know there are differences in voltage supply et cetera... We are avid gamers, not mindless drooling morons, but thanks for stereotyping us as such Sony. It really makes me want to remain loyal to the brand you're pushing and keep filling your already gold-lined pockets with more pieces of eight. You think many of us have never imported a console before? We are much more adept at this than you think. We have imported consoles for 'generations' now and we know how it works, we know the drawbacks, we know the dangers. Yet, I have never heard of an imported console-related fatality...have you?

It's simple, Sony hates gamers in Europe. First they overlook the importance of the market by postponing the releases of their systems and games here. Then they begin working to prevent us from importing the systems and games we want but can't get until months after the rest of the world has them.

Sony, time to sit up and listen. All we want to do is play the damned things you make. Why must you attempt to foil our every chance to do so? You make the systems prohibitively expensive, you delay the releases, you don't even release some things here and now....and now you stop us from getting systems from abroad. Why don't you just take all your toys and go home like the tantrum-throwing ten year old you are acting like. Honestly you should be happy that there is such demand for your products here that we will go to great lengths to procure them for our gaming pleasure. But instead you shun us and treat us like unwanted children. You are like the fascist dictators of old who care not for the people but only for their own comfort and security.

I think Europe has seen enough of that type for the rest of the lifespan of Earth, approximately another five billion years for those keeping track.

What can we do?

Well, there are several options and they are all difficult.

• Boycott - We can boycott Sony products. Which will be extremely difficult for the Sony fanboys I'm sure. But it could be done, it would just take willpower.
• Import Anyway - Screw Sony and they're lawyers and import what you want. Tell them to take a flying leap and to stuff their import law up the O in Sony.
• Petition - Usually more effective with governments than with multinationals but it could be an effective tool. Maybe they fail to recognize how many of us there actually are here in Europe.
• Raise Awareness - Post to every website you can find related on the topic. Make sure our thoughts and voices are found all over the web so that every time Sony turns around they see one of us. We can see the red of hate in their eyes, now it's time for them to see ours.
• NOTHING - The most prolific and easiest option is to simply do nothing. Roll over and take it, that's what they expect us to do. It's easy because it requires no effort on our part. Everyone has done it at some time in their life and that's what Sony is banking on.

Personally, I'm opting for the boycott but would be more than happy to do some of the others as well. I was already leaning away from the PS3 solely based on its price here, but now, even if I wanted one from America in case I ever move back there, I can't get one while I'm here. IN addition I was also considering the purchase of a new Sony Ericcson mobile...but I won't be purchasing that either. This is the beginning of my boycott of Sony. If someone from that company wishes to contact me then feel free to do so, but check your hate at the door because it doesn't play well with me.

There is enough hate in this world, people of one color hate people of another, people of one religion hate people of another, people hate themselves, people hate their parents and now...Sony hates Europe.

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