Sony VeRO

[enjoi]

I'm a US seller selling generic/unbranded ps3 controllers on a US account. I got an email from Sony Europe / VeRO saying I can't sell them anymore because they have a trademark on the DESIGN. My listings clearly state that the controllers are not Sony brand and there are no Sony logos. There are literally thousands of listings for generic controllers. So for now I stopped those sales. Any thoughts or anyone else in a similar situation?

[GreenBean]

Pretty sure these come under what SONY call a gray import. They do not allow its on-selling in the USA.

Important words are design & trademark.

[unkown5454]

Yes, designs are trademarked. Especially if your listings are using the Sony name for "likeness".

[MM78]

Originally Posted by enjoi

There are literally thousands of listings for generic controllers.

Just something for your own notes, there will always be thousands of whatever your selling still being sold on Ebay. It's like telling a cop who pulled you over for speeding, "But officer, there were at least 10 cars going faster than me". We hear the same exact words all the time.

Don't worry about other sellers, worry about your own. Sony owns every design, logo etc and if they singled you out then tough luck. I'm going to guess the account had very little feedback?

[muzzie]

Design is also a subject of copyright. That is why China versions often have slightly different thus "funny" design variations (Abibos, Nika, Ribok)- to avoid legal issues. So, when you plan to sell some generic stuff from China - check, if it does not copy some branded design.

[enjoi]

Originally Posted by MM78

Just something for your own notes, there will always be thousands of whatever your selling still being sold on Ebay. It's like telling a cop who pulled you over for speeding, "But officer, there were at least 10 cars going faster than me". We hear the same exact words all the time.

Don't worry about other sellers, worry about your own. Sony owns every design, logo etc and if they singled you out then tough luck. I'm going to guess the account had very little feedback?

Yeah, around 100 feedback. Small in the grand scale of things.

[rsot]

Don't rag on my Nika - pretty sturdy and does the trick

[glacier922]

Originally Posted by rsot

Don't rag on my Nika - pretty sturdy and does the trick

Are there really Nika shoes? I'm getting myself a pair