Crikey, if you're currently mulling over buying a ps3 in Europe, might be worth getting to the shop sooner rather than later:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/feb/28/playstation-3-lg-legal-dispute

Too crazy to be true

" Too crazy to be true "

Holy shit... that's crazy. Especially this part: 
 

My PS3 is hooked up to my LG TV, take that!

That is effed up ..... damn corporations really like to be evil ( whoever is the culprit) which forces the question what about us users of PS3s?

Can someone explain to me why it's only Europe that's being affected?

That is mental. The ban isn't lasting long but still a big set back for Sony. Lucky I already have one.

This isn't about being evil, this is about one company profiting off of another's patent, and getting in trouble for it. If Sony wins, let's all cry foul at LG for mucking up their good name, but just because you like a product Sony makes doesn't make someone suing them "evil". 
 
My opinion of Sony has plummeted in recent months due to all this BS going on with the hack, but even so, no one's right 'till after the court decides, and even then, it's debatable. 

" Can someone explain to me why it's only Europe that's being affected? "

" My PS3 is hooked up to my LG TV, take that! "

Sounds like shady stuff... Hope everything gets figured out and whoever broke the law is punished appropriately.

" @TheSeductiveMoose said:

" My PS3 is hooked up to my LG TV, take that! "

Same! ...so there...!!! "

BR partners = Sony, LG, other companies
BR partner group = Freely sharing patents with each other
Sony vs LG drama = Stupid
LG = About to take on deep shit, even if the LG ban on items entering the United States doesn't go through

Even as a ps3 owner I hope LG win.

Sony first sues LG for patent infringements. Then LG hits them back with this?
 
Ouch.

" Even as a ps3 owner I hope LG win. "

Although companies sue each other like this all the time this is the first time I have ever seen an action like this being taken.

Looks like the PS4 might have to be rolled out pretty quickly if LG wins... or there is always the possibility that Sony will have to take a break from the home console market

I really DO NOT want to see Sony get fucked, personally.

Man Sony has been getting a lot of negative press lately. Sucks for them, I really hope PS3's don't get banned that would just be insane. Like what the hell would Sony do? I remember hearing about this lawsuit last month but the fact that it's getting to this point must mean it's pretty serious. 
 
And wow. I had no idea that LG invented Blu-Ray. I always thought it was Sony, that's kind of what they were using to push the console wasn't it? That's the idea I got anyway. If LG actually did create this technology then I can see why Sony is losing.

I read a little about all this a few days ago and yes, it appears that LG want to totally stop the Playstation 3 hitting European shores if they can. Seems a tad nasty between the two companies.  
 
Hope it can get cleared up, but sounds like LG are playing hard ball. 

" Man Sony has been getting a lot of negative press lately. Sucks for them, I really hope PS3's don't get banned that would just be insane. Like what the hell would Sony do? I remember hearing about this lawsuit last month but the fact that it's getting to this point must mean it's pretty serious. "

Wow, this is crazy. I never even heard of this before, I wonder how far it'll go.

This is crazy, If Sony is infringing patent they will probably come to some out of court settlement with LG. Otherwise their entire future with home gaming is questionable as the company as a whole will see this generation as unprofitable. 

" @TheSeductiveMoose said:

" My PS3 is hooked up to my LG TV, take that! "

Same! ...so there...!!! "

" @xyzygy said:

" Man Sony has been getting a lot of negative press lately. Sucks for them, I really hope PS3's don't get banned that would just be insane. Like what the hell would Sony do? I remember hearing about this lawsuit last month but the fact that it's getting to this point must mean it's pretty serious. "

Its is kinda nuts...I almost wonder if this is just a big "We have good cards too" move, something to get a cash settlement and a dropping of the original suit? I really do not know enough about financial law to full understand whats up here. I really don't have allegience to either (hey i love PS3, but I have an LG cell as well).   I doubt this will stop all PS3 sales, in the end LG will win some moneys on PS3s sold I figure "

Good thing I already have one...And don't live in Europe. 

" @Tally_Pants said:

" @TheSeductiveMoose said:

" My PS3 is hooked up to my LG TV, take that! "

Same! ...so there...!!! "

Revolutionaries  is what you are.  "

So much for "PS3 has no games."
 
Now PS3 doesn't even have consoles!

PS3s won't get banned, LG just wants a piece of that cake.

But wait, isn't Blu-Ray OWNED by Sony?

" So much for "PS3 has no games."  Now PS3 doesn't even have consoles! "

" But wait, isn't Blu-Ray OWNED by Sony? "

That's pretty crazy..though I wouldn't see it ever getting to the point of the PS3 being banned here. I mean if the PS3 was to stop selling that's gotta be a huge chunk of revenue being cut out of developers, stores and even the tax man.  
 
I could imagine seeing some LG branding somewhere in the PS3 manual. That's about it imo..or a fine. 

Yay patent law. :/

crazy 
that has to be a lot of sales they are going to lose 
at least the ps3 is region free, they can send those shipment to other regions... 
 
i was kinda ok seeing a company that fucked their users with a lot of bad choices with the ps3 taking a hit too, but in the end if sales are affected i guess games will be too :(

I imagine some people in Redmond are doing some celebrating :D

" So much for "PS3 has no games."  Now PS3 doesn't even have consoles! "

I hope Sony lose just because of how fucking crazy it would be. They'll just settle though.

" @Jayross said:

" But wait, isn't Blu-Ray OWNED by Sony? "

It's owned by a consortium of companies, which includes Sony, LG and a whole load of other companies. I don't know the ins and outs of LG's claim, but I'd guess they think their patents mean that they have a bigger slice of the blu-ray pie than Sony are giving them licensing money for. "

Sony should lose. Just for being so stupid! 
  
 
I know lets put someones patented bluray software in about a bazillion consoles and ship them all over the world!! nobody will notice!!! 
 
idiots... 

" Sony should lose. Just for being so stupid!    I know lets put someones patented bluray software in about a bazillion consoles and ship them all over the world!! nobody will notice!!!  idiots...  "

This is why I just love heavyweight corporations. 
 
You watch, when the chips are down, these so called civilized people will eat each other, like dogs. 
  

goddamn Euro customs are totally biased! Like way bias-biased! 
 
BIAS! 

" @the_OFFICIAL_jAPanese_teaBAG: Yeah I know. If Sony knew a certain part of it was patented they shouldn't have just gone and used it.  "

And that's why I'm a socialist.
 
First time I've said that this week. 2 whole days!

" @the_OFFICIAL_jAPanese_teaBAG: Im sure we will find out soon enough! It would be interesting to see what sony would do with all those banned consoles if LG manage to get it that far haha "