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Lik Sang, Hong Kong's legendary game retailer, was shut down by Sony in 2006

A Hong Kong online retailer of import games and modchips was sued by Sony for selling PSPs before UK release. Sony demanded $188K and Lik Sang closed.

Lik Sang · 2006-10-24

What happened

Lik Sang was a Hong Kong-based online retailer founded in 1998 that sold import video games, modchips, anime merchandise, and obscure gaming accessories to customers worldwide. It became a legendary destination for gamers seeking region-locked or hard-to-find titles, and was particularly known for its modchips that allowed consoles to play import, homebrew, and pirated games.

In August 2005, Sony Computer Entertainment sued Lik Sang in the UK High Court for importing PlayStation Portable (PSP) units from Asia and selling them to UK customers before the console's official UK release. Sony alleged trademark infringement. On October 18, 2006, the court ruled against Lik Sang, and Sony demanded $188,000 by November 1, 2006. Lik Sang announced its closure the next day, and its website went offline on October 24, 2006.

The case became a landmark in the debate over grey-market imports and modding. Sony claimed Lik Sang had not contested the case and had incurred no legal fees, but Lik Sang countered that it had spent over a year contesting jurisdiction and defending against the allegations. Two judges reportedly expressed surprise at the high legal expenses claimed by Sony. After closure, the domain Lik-Sang.com redirected to the Wikipedia article about the company.

Why it happened

  • Selling import PSP units before the UK launch violated Sony's trademark rights, giving Sony a clear legal basis to sue.
  • Lik Sang was a small Hong Kong retailer with no resources to fight a multi-jurisdictional legal battle against a global corporation.
  • The company's business model — selling modchips and import games — operated in a legal grey area that left it vulnerable when Sony chose to enforce its rights.
  • Lik Sang had no alternative revenue stream or legal strategy to survive the judgment, and the $188,000 demand was more than the business could bear.
What it cost$188K demand from Sony; business liquidatedcostly

The lesson

A grey-market business model is a ticking clock — it works until the rights holder decides to enforce. The question is not whether enforcement will come, but when.

Aftermath

Lik Sang closed on October 24, 2006, and its website went offline. The domain later redirected to the company's Wikipedia article. The case became a cautionary tale for grey-market game retailers and a reference point in discussions about modchip legality and copyright enforcement.

Sources

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