Sony Opens Up PlayStation Apparel, 'LifeStyle' Product Licensing

Sony Computer Entertainment hopes to raise the PlayStation brand's profile through a new licensing program that could bring the PlayStation logo to everything from T-shirts to houseware. On Tuesday, SCE unveiled the PlayStation Logo Licensing Program, which allows participating licensees to design their products using PlayStation logo or "the iconic marks" associated with the gaming brand. SCE said the "program is applicable to a variety of lifestyle products such as apparel, accessories, housewares and more." Packaging for licensed products that meet the program's guidelines will include SCE's "Official Licensed Product" logo. The company hopes that including third parties in brand expansion efforts will make the PlayStation brand "more accessible than ever" and allow SCE to more "vigorously promote" PlayStation. The new logo licensing program follows SCE's June 2009 introduction of an official licensing program for PlayStation peripherals and accessories, which let third parties create officially-licensed PlayStation gaming products such as controllers. Through June this year, that program offered 123 items from 45 licensees, Sony said. Parties interested in taking part in SCE's new PlayStation logo licensing program can view more details at the official website.