PS3s Seized at European Customs Over LG Blu-ray Dispute

Last week, The Guardian reported that LG Electronics won a preliminary injunction against Sony in a dispute over patents relating to the playback of Blu-ray discs. LG is arguing that Sony Blu-ray players, including the PS3, infringe on four patents regarding data streaming. As a result of this, the importation of PlayStation 3 consoles into Europe has been banned for ten days.

In February, LG filed a suit with the International Trade Commission to try to block the sale of PS3s, along with other Sony Blu-ray players and Bravia TVs, as MCV reported. An injunction has now been granted to LG by the civil court of justice in the Hague, which has given LG the right to block stock being imported into Europe.

Sony has the right to appeal to the European patents office to lift the ban. However, LG could also apply to have the ban extended. Currently, Sony imports around 100,000 consoles each week and customs officers are now seizing new shipments as they enter Europe. The ban doesn’t stop PS3s from being sold, just from being imported, so whatever stock was held before the ban can be sold. Stockpiles of consoles could last up to three weeks, so if the ban is extended there could be a real shortage of PS3 consoles across Europe in the near future.