Sony recalls 440,000 laptops after buyers burned

Japan's Sony is recalling 440,000 Vaio laptop computers worldwide due to a wiring flaw that caused seven people minor burns. The consumer electronics company said the recall involves 19 models in the Vaio TZ series manufactured between May 2007 and July 2008.

The news comes two years after several computer makers were forced to recall more than 10m laptop batteries made by Sony because of possible overheating. That recall cost Sony about $430m (£243m).

The Tokyo-based company said improperly placed wires near the hinge connecting the body of the laptop and its display could wear quickly, causing a short-circuit and overheating. It added that a flaw in a circuit board inside the display could also cause the rim to overheat.