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New Sony Patent Blocks Second-hand Games

Posted by samzenpus on from the one-console-to-play-them-all dept.

silentbrad writes in with a story about a Sony patent that would block the playing of second-hand games. "... the patent application was filed on 9 December 2012 by Sony Computer Entertainment Japan, and will work by linking individual game discs to a user's account without requiring a network connection meaning any future attempt to use this disc on another user's console won't work. The patent explains that games will come with contactless tags that will be read by your console in much the same way as modern bank cards. When a disc is first used, the disc ID and player ID will be stored on the tag. Every time the disc is used in future, the tag will check if the two ID's match up and, if not, then the disc won't work. The document goes on to explain that such a device is part of Sony's ongoing efforts to deter second-hand games sales, and is a far simpler solution than always-on DRM or passwords. It's worth noting that Sony has not confirmed the existence of the device, and the patent doesn't state what machine it will be used in, with later paragraphs also mentioning accessories and peripherals. ... There's also the issue of what happens should your console break and need replacing, or if you have more than one console. Will the games be linked to your PSN account, meaning they can still be used, or the console, meaning an entire new library of titles would need to be purchased?"

9 of 344 comments (clear)

  1. Sony shiting on its customers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    ...customers do not (want to) know it and continue buying from these assholes.

    Well, have a very nice fuck you year Sony.

    1. Re:Sony shiting on its customers by Lonewolf666 · · Score: 5, Informative

      Indeed. Sony is one of currently three companies I would not buy any digital equipment or software from (the other two are Apple and Activision Blizzard).

      The rootkit on audio CDs and the deletion of Linux support from the PS3 are not forgotten. The patent in the article is only proof the thinking at Sony hasn't changed, it is not a new trend.

      --
      C - the footgun of programming languages
    2. Re:Sony shiting on its customers by Spaseboy · · Score: 4, Informative

      Believe me, I had this problem. My PS+ sub renewed with an out-of-date credit card and 3 months later I am told I don't have access to PSN. No email, no reason, just call Sony. They want me to send a cashier's check, by postage mail, to them for the amount then they will "consider" unbanning my account. I can't pay it electronically where I can be sure they receive the amount and there is no guarantee they will unban my account after they receive payment.

      I sold my PS3 the next day and I'm trying to sell my PSV.

      --
      "I don't want more choice, I just want nicer things!"
      -Jennifer Saunders as Edina Monsoon
    3. Re:Sony shiting on its customers by kelemvor4 · · Score: 3, Informative

      So the Smiths get the new Medal of Duty 2012.

      Okay.

      Now Little Billy goes to his friends house for the weekend with the game to play it.

      It won't work at his friends house unless he also brings the whole console

      The next weekend Little Bobby goes to his friends house.

      and the disc still doesn't work at his friend's house

      The next weekend, Mr Smith brings it to a party.

      ...and Mr. Smith finds the game doesn't work at the party.

      Who gets to play it where?

      It sounds to me like the idea is that it would only be playable in the first system. I'm not saying I agree with it but it doesn't seem all that complicated to me.

  2. Obvious Solution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Just don't buy anything by Sony.

    1. Re:Obvious Solution by MickyTheIdiot · · Score: 5, Informative

      Actually, yes, it is possible. In the e-book market there are books that are now prominently promoting the fact that they are DRM free as a selling point.

      If this occurs in the tight assed corporate game market it will take a while, as the customers are more oblivious... but wait until Joe Sixpack from Alabama gets bit by this a few times and you'll see the Ric Romeros of the world start to pick up on it.

  3. Patents work for once! by Cryacin · · Score: 5, Informative

    So the competition will be less tempted to steal their IP, and I as well as surely many others can take their business to them!

    Officially, screw you Sony. I will never, ever, over my dead body buy another product from you, or an affiliated company.

    And to their patent lawyers, please, I beg you - Make the patent watertight.

    --
    Science advances one funeral at a time- Max Planck
  4. Re:The PS3 Is The Top Selling Console In The World by Kartu · · Score: 1, Informative

    "In the world" vs "in US"?

  5. Re:Remember Steam by Wookact · · Score: 3, Informative

    Well because there are a number of benefits to steam's method.

    I can play my games offline.
    I can play my games on ANY pc,
    I get my games dirt cheap during sales. usually for 50-75% off retail. ( I have not paid more then 30 dollars for any game in years now, and I own all of the big titles that I want.)
    I do not have to keep track of the media.
    I do not have to keep track of CD keys.
    They allow me to backup the games.
    I do not have to have a cd in the drive while I am playing.

    So I do not have a method to resell my games. I never sold games before Steam, in fact I usually just lost one of 5 cds or the cd key. In fact my games from before steam are mostly unplayable due to either a damged/missing disc or a missing CD key code.
    That is why I use steam. They give me a fair bit in return for loosing the ability to sell the game. If you want to bag on DRM/Online distributing, you should take a look at games for windows live. If anyone deserves ridicule they do.