As we reported on Tuesday, Microsoft has sold 3 million Kinect units since the product’s global launch in November. In response, Sony disseminated a press release yesterday stating that PlayStation Move has sold 4.1 million units since its launch in September.

Today Sony has sought to clarify that figure, saying it meant “shipped” rather than “sold”. Units shipped mean they’ve been bought by retailers to sell on to their customers whereas sales mean they’ve been purchased by the consumer.

A Sony spokesperson told website Joystiq, “While we don’t disclose our exact sell-through number, the key is that our retailers continue to ask for more Move units and are taking every unit we can supply them with based on their sales.”

Nintendo’s Wii is by far and away the leader in the motion control market. Microsoft and Sony have been dismissive of motion control in the past but both have since done an about face.

Given the figures released this week, the momentum in the battle for first loser currently appears to be with Microsoft’s Kinect.

Many industry spectators predict that Kinect will outperform Move at retail over the holiday season as the Xbox 360 has a larger installed base and as Kinect offers a more unique proposition.

Whatever the case, consumer adoption of motion control has been extremely positive and both Sony and Microsoft have cause for celebration.