Clampdown on third-party controllers - part II

Sony Computer Entertainment are threatening legal action against a number of peripherals companies who they believe are infringing copyright laws. This isn't the first time Sony have taken such measures - in 1998 they had a go at X-Treme Europe, ED Games, Fire International and Joytech.

"Sony Computer Entertainment Europe have invested a lot of capital and R&D resources into developing the PlayStation brand and a market for the best gaming platform to date," Chris Deering, President of SCEE, told trade paper CTW. "SCEE offer a comprehensive licensing programme for peripherals which is open to all and the same for everyone. To date, licences have been granted to eight different companies covering 18 products."

The main problem seems to be third-party companies using the 'square/triangle/circle/cross' symbols on their own controllers.

A spokesperson for one peripherals company told CTW: "I think this whole thing is disgraceful. If the industry only wants to receive peripherals from the first parties then it's monopolistic. We have already started to talk to the monopolies people."

They went on to say: "Sony are claiming that we are passing off our products as Sony ones just by using the same symbols."