Want some more details on the upcoming ability to transfer movies from Blu-ray? Gizmodo got some. According to the site, "the movies are around 1GB (standard def and PSP-optimized) and take about 3-5 minutes to download via USB to the Memory Stick Duo in your PSP." Obviously, DRM will be utilized when a movie is copied to the system, although exact details haven't been worked out yet. We're assuming it'll work similarly to the DRM used for downloadable games from the PLAYSTATION Store.

Unfortunately, there isn't an exact timeframe set for this feature. It's some time this year -- and that's all we get. [Update: More images can be found at Watch Impress.]

[Via Digg]

The upcoming BD Live standard (Blu-ray Profile 2.0) brings good things for PSP owners. Movies that follow the updated Blu-ray protocol can optionally offer handheld versions of the movie to be copied off the disc. You can, for example, have a Blu-ray version of Men in Black on your PS3 and copy a handheld version of the movie directly to PSP. "This way, you can have a portable copy you can take with you," explained David Bishop, president of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, to PC World.

Sony's attempt to create a new format with UMD never worked out, but their efforts with Blu-ray have been more than commendable. With the HD format wars looking clearly in their favor, it's great to see that even PSP owners will be able to benefit from Sony's next-gen disc medium. We can't wait to take advantage of BD Live.

[Thanks, Russ M.!]

In a strange, un-Sony like move, Sony's David Bishop announced that future Blu-Ray movies from Sony Pictures Entertainment will include portable files that can be transferred to laptops and other portables (such as the PSP?). This feature may launch this year, which would be a fantastic deal for current PLAYSTATION 3 and PSP owners. Imagine copying a movie from your PS3's Blu-Ray reader directly onto the PSP via USB connection. That would be an incredible bonus. Let's see it happen, Sony.

[Thanks, Nav! Via Kotaku]

Sony has just laid the proverbial smackdown on the popular import retailer Lik-Sang by winning a court case that ruled the website was in breach of Sony's intellectual property rights by grey importing its products. Grey importing is importing a product into a country without the manufacturer's consent.

Lik-Sang, which sells Japanese PSPs to consumers through its website, argued it did not break the law since they're located in Hong Kong and "has no trading presence in the Uk or European Economic Area," according to Gamesindustry.biz.

"The law is clear; grey importing PS2, PSP or PS3 into the EU, without the express permission of SCE is illegal. Therefore, we will utilise the full scope of the law to put a stop to any retailers who chose to do this," a Sony spokeperson told GI.biz. "Ultimately, we're trying to protect consumers from being sold hardware that does not conform to strict EU or UK consumer safety standards, due to voltage supply differences et cetera; is not - in PS3's case - backwards compatible with either PS1 or PS2 software; will not play European Blu-Ray movies or DVDs; and will not be covered by warranty."

Wow, check out Sony going to bat for our safety! To be perfectly honest, I'm torn between whether this is a good thing or a bad thing for us consumers. On one hand, it's great to be able to buy those cool Japanese PSPs and other hardware that aren't available in the States, but on the other, it does protect consumers from retailers jacking up the price of imported hardware.

[Via DCEmu]

Sony plans to sell DVD/UMD bundles this coming March, says a Reuters report, causing all those poor saps who bought UMD copies of "The Fifth Element" to say “D-oh!” Coming off the news of the company finally releasing a price point for Blu-Ray (old titles will retail for $18, while new releases will go for $24), the article also included Sony’s strategy for the bundle packs. Sony appears to be experimenting with these packs, as they have alluded to the possibility of similar bundles surfacing for their Blu-Ray discs. The DVD/UMD combos will retail for $29 and should hit store shelves starting March 28.

While this may not be the price drop on UMDs we’ve all been pining for, this certainly is a good but cautious step in the right direction for the format. About darned time, we say; if we see another full price tag on “Stealth” again we’re going to kvetch.

[via PSP Vault]

[CORRECTION: Blu-Ray discs will sell at the wholesale price of $18 and $24. Retailers will then jack the prices up so high you'll feel like you're buying CDs in the early 80s.]