Your used (or torrented) copy of SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 3, the latest entry in the SOCOM series for the PlayStation Portable, may be missing something: online play.

Sony is taking new measures against rampant piracy of PSP games and discouraging used purchases of the latest portable SOCOM by requiring players to register their copy of the game online. According to a new IGN interview with John Koller, director of hardware marketing at SCEA, you'll need a voucher or a legit digital download of the game to enjoy online multiplayer.

Both of those are included in new retail copies of the UMD version and in games purchased from the PlayStation Store. Those going the used (or stolen) route will need to drop an extra $20 for an "online entitlement" voucher.

Publisher Electronic Arts has taken similar measures recently, offering content for "original purchasers" of Mass Effect 2 and The Saboteur. We suspect Sony and EA won't be the only game makers riding this bandwagon in the near future.

SOCOM Fights Piracy On PSP [IGN]