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PlayStation 2 export limit lifted

No use to missile-making rogue states after all

Japan's Ministry of Trade has decided that you can't use Sony PlayStation 2s to build missile guidance systems and the console is nothing more than "a general-purpose product" after all. Surprise, surprise. Originally, MITI had placed a restriction on the console limiting individuals from taking more than two PlayStation 2s out of the country. But according to Japan's Kyodo news service, the organisation has now relaxed the rule. Which, of course, isn't really what Sony wanted to hear. Limiting exports increases the anticipation among console fans in Europe and the US for the console's official launch in these territories in the autumn. However, grey importers will be pleased they're supply line of highly lucrative consoles will not now dry up. Call us cynical - go on, we don't mind - but we're still sure the furore was all just a clever marketing scam on Sony's part, designed to make the PlayStation 2 appear even more ridiculously powerful than it actually is. Certainly, the original restrictions, contrary to almost all press reports, would have had no material impact on Sony since the US and European consoles will almost certainly ship from a variety of manufactories around the Far East, just like all the rest of Sony's consumer electronics kit. ® Related Stories PlayStation 2 exports to be restricted - again Unauthorised PlayStation 2 exports illegal

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