Sony reducing claims against PSP importers?

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has halved the damages it is claiming from some retailers following the dispute over the importing of its PlayStation Portable handheld, according to UK trade paper MCV.

Retailers were previously selling US and Japanese units of the machine, which has yet to be officially released in the UK, but found themselves subject to legal action and a heavy fine after SCEE objected to the sale of imported PSPs.

However, MCV reports that one UK retailer has been approached to pay only UKP 500 instead of the original order of UKP 1,000 - which the retailer allegedly resisted. It has been reported that this deal has caused anger among other traders who have paid the full sum in fear of further fines for trying to barter the initial penalty.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe declined to comment when contacted this afternoon.

PSP will see its UK debut on September 1st for UKP 179 in the form of a Value Pack, featuring the machine, a pouch, 32MB Memory Stick Duo, battery pack, headphones with remote control, AC adaptor, wrist strap, cloth and a video/music/game sampler Universal Media Disc (UMD) including several non-interactive game demos.

Further Reading: Judge delays decision in new PSP import case
Further Reading: Comment: New PSP headache for SCEE as grey import crackdown faces backlash