A newly discovered patent by NeoGAF user gofreak has re-kindled rumours that Sony might be looking into suppressing second-hand video game sales, something retailers like EB Games or US equivalent GameStop rely so heavily on. The patent was originally filed on the 9th of December last year, and details a method that could possibly stop used games from being played without any form of Internet connection.

In order to resolve the above-described problems, an electronic content processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a use permission apparatus provided for use in a recording medium that stores electronic content for a user of the electronic content; a medium drive configured to read the electronic content from the recording medium; and a reproduction device configured to reproduce the electronic content read by the medium drive. The medium drive has a security management unit configured to read from the recording medium an article ID that is an ID of the electronic content or the recording medium. The reproduction device has a security management unit configured to convey a reproduction entity ID, which is a reproduction device ID or a user ID, together with the article ID read by the medium drive to the use permission apparatus when the electronic content is to be reproduced.

The use permission apparatus includes: a use condition storage for storing a use condition that defines an attribute of an entity accessible to the electronic content; and a determining unit for determining whether or not a combination of the article ID and the reproduction entity ID conveyed from the reproduction device fulfills the use condition. The security management unit of the reproduction device determines a reproduction mode of the electronic content based on a decision result as to whether or not the combination thereof fulfills the use condition.

While the above text may seem like gibberish to some, the patent outlines that the system will use RF tags to determine whether the game has been played previously, and if so, makes it impossible to play. This new system could see the second-hand gaming scene pretty much deplete, however so far it is purely rumoured as to whether Sony's next-gen console will actually use it. Previously Sony has patented ideas, however has never acted on them so time will tell. The next Sony and Microsoft consoles are expected to debut at this years E3, so stay tuned to AusGamers for more.

For those looking for more information, you can browse the full patent over here. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below on what this might mean for next-gen consoles, good or bad.

^^ hah yeah I want this just to screw EB, $80 for pre-owned Super Mario Galaxy 2!! - but over all it would suck

^^ hah yeah I want this just to screw EB, $80 for pre-owned Super Mario Galaxy 2!! - but over all it would suck

Apparently GameStop shares in the US took a bit of a dive on this news

if steam can get away with it than surely sony can.

I think technically you could sell your account with steam which basically is that what you're asking for in bulk?

According to their Subscriber Agreement you can't:

"you may not sell or charge others for the right to use your Account, or otherwise transfer your Account, nor may you sell, charge others for the right to use, or transfer any Subscriptions other than if and as expressly permitted by this Agreement (including any Subscription Terms or Rules of Use)."

Would love to walk through a store with a console or rfid system and lock all the discs.

Joy. Then your console RROD's weeks after you get it and now you can't play all your games, unless they tie it to your account.

Even then, it locks out multiple account house-holds...

When you buy software, you never actually own the software though do you? You just get a license to use it, so all you really 'own' is the physical medium, and this wouldn't stand in the way of you re-selling the physical medium, its just the license to use it that isn't transferrable

You own the right to use the software. They recently (rightly imo) ruled in Germany that making this non-transferable was bullshit.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-57465746-92/eu-court-sale-of-used-software-licenses-is-just-fine/

If you sell someone a software license its a non-tangible asset and should be transferable under right of first sale, the same way you can sell a book or a movie. This sort of bullshit shenanigans gives software development a bad name.

I can only hope that the 'next generation' of consoles get rid of physical medium.

I WOULD like the capacity to 'on-sell' my software licences (esp in systems like steam)
Shit, I'd be happy enough if they'd allow me to at least 'loan/transfer' them (y'know, like you used to as a kid, 'borrow your mates games'...)

Erm, isn't this going to fail anyway?

It's been proven time and again (DVD/Bluray/HdDVD), if the decryption mechanism is in the hardware you are just giving smart people the way to get around it.

Here Sony goes again, shooting it self in the foot. And Sony wonders why their profits have dramatically declined.

MMM I wish I could make hardly anything :(

If Sony want to fail, this is the way!