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FEATURED VOXPOP nick_olsen
Welcome home, Mario; we’ve missed you!
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GAMING NEWS

Sony Sued for Not Allowing Users to... Sue

Posted on Tuesday, December 20 @ 10:27:06 Eastern by Keri_Honea

The latest Terms of Service for the PlayStation Network instilled an arbitration clause, which requires all users of the PSN to agree to settle all disputes via arbitration instead of a lawsuit. More specifically, they want to nip class-action lawsuits in the bud.

This set many a-gamer into a rage, even though many didn't quite understand that arbitration will help them more than a class-action suit ever will. Either way, we all know that gamers like to go into rages, and sure enough, a gamer has sued Sony over this arbitration clause.

According to GameSpot, the petition claims the following:
The suit alleges that Sony engaged in unfair business practices by forcing consumers to either give up their right to file a class-action lawsuit or give up access to the online gaming network they effectively paid for when they purchased the hardware.

The suit says Sony buried the clause section describing the changes near the bottom of a 21-page form viewable through the PS3 and neglected to post an easily accessible version of the form online, even though it had done so with past user agreement updates. While the suit notes that Sony allowed an opt out from the class-action provision, the only way for consumers to do that was to contact the company in writing (no emails, phone calls, or online forms accepted) within 30 days.
This suit will most likely go where the last class-action suit went: nowhere. Arbitration clauses are staple in practically every major business contract, because they not only cut down costs for everyone involved, but they also get resolved years faster than a traditional lawsuit in a courtroom and usually with fairer results than 12 jurors could ever hand down.

Either way, I have to wonder if Microsoft will be next, despite the fact that they did offer an opt-out with their newest Terms of Service. Gamers do seem to be sue-happy these days.


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Comments
  • Anthony_Severino
    Anthony_Severino

    Joined: Oct 2010
    Posted: Dec 20th, 2011 at 10:31 am
    Sue beyond. U R Not red-E for litigation. Play in your world. Sue in ours. Long Live Lawyers! It Only Does Lawsuits. Etc.
  • Bras
    Bras

    Joined: Jul 2008
    Posted: Dec 20th, 2011 at 10:49 am
    Pun intended?

    Just kidding, some of those cracked me up actually.
  • 213EDD
    213EDD

    Joined: Sep 2007
    Posted: Dec 20th, 2011 at 11:14 am
    TPS reports that black power guy
  • Bras
    Bras

    Joined: Jul 2008
    Posted: Dec 20th, 2011 at 11:35 am
    Can you nominate staff members?
    I mean, I know you just did, but is it legal?
  • xxlordskullxx
    xxlordskullxx

    Joined: Nov 2007
    Posted: Dec 20th, 2011 at 11:42 am
    if it is, i'm suing.
  • OdiousLupous
    OdiousLupous

    Joined: Jul 2011
    Posted: Dec 20th, 2011 at 1:21 pm
    Where shall the court send the necessary paperwork to begin legal proceedings?

    To Michael!
    To Michael!
    To Michael!
    To Michael!
    To Michael!

    When the court stenographer reads out the days proceedings, what will it say?
  • whoisme
    whoisme

    Joined: Apr 2009
    Posted: Dec 21st, 2011 at 11:27 am
    This are sad times, a lot of EULA's have you agree to not sue but to seek arbitration which favor the companies and not he consumer. Sucks to be us.
  • OniAkuma2126
    OniAkuma2126

    Joined: Jun 2011
    Posted: Dec 21st, 2011 at 2:44 pm
    I was going to sue, but then i took an arrow to the knee :(
  • OdiousLupous
    OdiousLupous

    Joined: Jul 2011
    Posted: Dec 23rd, 2011 at 10:45 am
    I smell workers comp case.
  • Enigma_2099
    Enigma_2099

    Joined: Jan 2007
    Posted: Dec 26th, 2011 at 11:06 am
    I'd get in a rage over this, but then I remembered how much good the last class action lawsuit did for me... none. I've never needed to get involved with one.

    Another thing to think about. Has there ever been a class action lawsuit that resulted with the people involved getting as much money as the lawyer that put them up to it? And it's nice to know that no matter how "serious" the problems or allegations are, all it takes is a little money in your pockets to make you forget all about it.

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