I know it's a little late, but I never saw this thread when people were commenting on it. I was so sad / angry when I saw this - I used to use Lik Sang a lot for getting import stuff at a decent price. Don't know how it is in the states, but here in the UK when Sony can't supply enough to meet demand at this time of year I'd have thought they'd have been happy that importers can help out and salvage Sonys own reputation. Evidently not - they just want a monopoly. As others have mentioned, given that there is nothing illegal in importing, and that technically it could be viewed as restricting trade on Sonys part which IS illegal, had it not been for the technicality of the power issue, and the fact that Sony could pay for lawyesr for as long as it wanted, Lik Sang could have stood a good chance in court. Another victory for the big guy I suppose...

Hmm, now right around now I would think my law degree would help me... 

No, it's not illegal - if games say that, it's usually because something in that particular game, something in the name etc. is already trademarked by someone else in another country, so in importing that particular item it would be infringing on intellectual property laws. The importing itself isn't illegal (so long as all due import taxes are paid).

With regards electronics, the technicality is in that if it has different power input / output, even if it is a nominal amount that makes no difference, it will not conform to other country's safety standards, and as such a company is within it's rights (technically) to not allow its import (although it again, isn't actually illegal, it would just invalidate it's warranty - although could render the company liable should a fire / explosion etc. occur as a result of the power difference).

That's why Sony did all this - on a technicality, nothing more.

You're right - it depends on what the company decide, but it's not illegal. I just hate big companies being like this - I just hope they're happy that they are personally preventing lots of kids being happy this Christmas.

Yup, you're right! That's definately why they do it, they just look for another reason that they can put down on paper - but it certainly is the reason!