PlayStation™Network > About system activation
About system activation
System activation is a procedure for protecting content copyrights and other digital rights. Content and applications available from PlayStation®Store can only be used on activated systems.
You can link your Sony Entertainment Network account to multiple systems, but the number of systems that you can activate per content type is limited for each account. When the number of activated systems has reached the limit, an error message will appear when you attempt to download (purchase) content on an unactivated system. To use the content on that system, you will have to first deactivate one of your other systems.
Manually activating a system
Normally your system is automatically activated when you download (purchase) content. If, however, when you try to play the content and a message appears indicating that system activation is required, you must manually activate your system.
Sign in to PSNSM on your PS3™ system. Select 
(PlayStation™Network) > 
(Account Management) > 
(System Activation), and then follow the on-screen instructions.
Hints
- You can activate a PS3™ system for watching video content a maximum of 3 times within 90 days per account. You cannot use an account to activate the same system a fourth time within 90 days. You will be able to activate the system again 90 days after the first time you activated it.
- The sale / rental of video content from PlayStation®Store on the PS3™ system has been discontinued.
Deactivating a system
If you attempt to exceed the activated system limit for your account, a message will appear, indicating that you are unable to purchase (download) the selected content. If this happens, deactivate one of your other systems.
Sign in to PSNSM on your PS3™ system. Select (PlayStation™Network) > (Account Management) > (System Activation), and then follow the on-screen instructions.
When you cannot deactivate a system
When you cannot deactivate an activated system using that system, for example, due to a malfunction or because the system has been disposed of, contact the technical support line for your region.
You can also deactivate all activated systems for each content type from the following website:
http://account.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com/
Go to [Account] > [Media and Devices], and then select [Deactivate All] for the type of content for which you want to deactivate all activated systems.
Hints
- Depending on the type of content, you might not be able to deactivate all of the activated systems using this page.
- This website is available only in certain countries or regions.
