PSN offers users legal ultimatum
By David Howells
19/09/2011
Following the high profile attack on its network, Sony has threatened to ban all users unless they waive their right to sue in the event of any further breaches.
Sony's choice to give the ultimatum is a controversial one, with many industry insiders calling the gesture tantamount to blackmail. Sony, however, is not expected to change its mind, having to fend off a multi billion dollar lawsuit for the previous attack which saw the firm seeking network management solutions after 77 million people's information accessed and the network down for 40 days. The clause means that users could still sue Sony on an individual basis, but not collectively BBC News reports.
The ultimatum comes as part of a new agreement which PSN (PlayStation Network) users will have to accept before they can access the services. It was thought that many would simply not see the clause and accept without realising, as it was buried under the title 'Section 15' of the new 10,869 word agreement. However, close scrutiny and high publicity has brought the issue much more into the fore, with news sources the world over reporting on the clause.
The agreement, as reprinted on zdnet.co.uk, read: "Any dispute resolution proceedings, whether in arbitration or court, will be conducted only on an individual basis and not in a class or representative action or as a named or unnamed member in a class, consolidated, representative of a private attorney general action, unless both you and the Sony entity with which you have a dispute specifically agree to do so in writing following initiation of the arbitration."
