Sony has confirmed that it won't allow companies to import its new games console into the UK ahead of its official release date.

The company has said it will use the "full scope of the law" to stop people from importing Playstation 3 consoles from other countries. The console will go on sale before Christmas in Japan and the US, but the British and other Europeans must wait until March 2007.

A British judge has ruled that the Taiwanese company Lik Sang, which specialises in importing Japanese products to Europe, would not be allowed to sell Sony's PSP (Playstation Portable) console in Europe.

Sony says that it would use the same law to stop shops from importing the new console when it arrives. A spokesman for the company told the BBC: "The law is clear: importing PS2, PSP or PS3 into the EU, without the express permission of Sony, is illegal."

The company has previously taken similar steps to stop companies from importing its Playstation 2 console, and to stop people from fitting 'mod chips' that allow playing of copied and imported games.