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Sony Refutes the "No Secondhands" Rumor

Sony's UK PR manager Jennie Kong spoke out against the recent rumor that the media monster is planning to restrict sales of used copies of PS3 games.

I would like to clarify that this is false speculation and that PlayStation 3 software will not be copy protected to a single machine but will be playable on any PlayStation 3 console.

Kong then threw a barrel at the nearest journalist and grunted.

The rumor sparked outrage, but very little surprise. After all, Sony's been trying to maintain an umbilical between itself and its released media for quite a while now. The flames still burn over the wreckage of the DRM debacle.

Sony's clampdown on second-hand games: UPDATED [Guardian Unlimited]

6:40 PM on Thu May 25 2006
By Eliza Gauger
96 views
9 comments

Comments

  • Has Kotaku posted anything about the PS3 in the last 3 weeks that wasn't outright negative or at least didn't have a snarky comment like the last 2 sentences of this post?

  • That just states they won't include software that will restrict resale of PS3 games. They could still use a Licence Model and then major retailors would not have a buy back program for those games. Remember how all the used PC games disappeared from the shelves.

  • why? getting offended James. If there was something positive to report, I would like to hear it JD. As for sony refuting the rumor, sony europe rarely knows whats going on in japan.... I doubt the rental crap is true, but i would wait for real confirmation from JP..

  • I suspect that what Kong says is true, that there will be no technological lock keeping a copy of the software tied to a particular PS3, because there's no workable hardware solution that doesn't involve an always-on internet connection, and that's easily worked-around. That being said, Sony is still interested in limiting the used-game market. Here's their possible strategy, as I see it: Sony will include a click-through license on all new PS3 software that includes the clause: "Reselling this software is a violation of this license agreement." They then turn around to used game stores and say "If you accept used PS3 games, you are liable for contributory breach of contract, and we won't let you sell our new games if you continue." Places like EB Games and Gamestop, and other stores that sell both new and used games, will be forced out of the used-game business. It won't affect Sony, because most of their game sales come from the big box stores like Wal-mart or Best Buy, who don't deal in used games. And most of the value of the used-game market comes from trading used games for new, so few stores will be willing to go used-only. K

  • Best Buy is gettting into the used game market... and used game sales in japan are pretty big. 2 bits of evidence it most likly wont happen (even if sony has been thinking about it)

  • If they restrict used games, but microsoft/nintendo don't... that could be just another nail in the PS3's coffin. I really don't want to see PS3 totally crash and burn. I like the 360, a lot more than a PS3. I don't plan to buy a PS3... but I mean, if there is no competition(in the high end graphics sector), then MS has no need to make the 360 better, and the 720 or whatever the next one is called, won't come out forever, and when it does, it'll probably suck. Damn you sony!

  • She only said "will not be copy protected to a single machine but will be playable on any PlayStation 3 console". That means there is no DRM. But still the license could be that it is forbidden to sell used games. Like World of Warcraft or Guild Wars.

  • "Has Kotaku posted anything about the PS3 in the last 3 weeks that wasn't outright negative or at least didn't have a snarky comment like the last 2 sentences of this post?" Has Sony does anything about the PS3 in the last 3 weeks that didn't deserve negative comments?

  • exactly what i said Xagest

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