Sony asks PlayStation gamers to sign away rights

Sony has amended PlayStation Network terms and conditions to get gamers to waive the right to launch class-action lawsuits.

Gamers have to agree to the terms and conditions before they can log onto PSN, the BBC reported on Friday.

After clicking 'accept' to the terms and conditions, people then have 30 days to opt-out of the class action waiver. Opting out of the waiver gives gamers the right to sue Sony, in a class action suit, in the event of a dispute.

Sony was sued in April following a hack which left around 77 million customer details exposed.

The amended terms and conditions(PDF) state:

"Note: This agreement contains a binding individual arbitration and class action waiver provision in section 15 that affects your rights under this agreement and with respect to any "dispute" (as defined below) between you and Snei, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC, their affiliates, parents or subsidiaries (all entities collectively referred to below as "Sony entities"). You have a right to opt out of the binding arbitration and class action waiver provisions as further described in section 15."

To opt out of the waiver, gamers must notify Sony in writing within 30 days of clicking 'accept' to access PSN. People must write to an address in the terms and conditions, and include name, address, PSN account number (if applicable), and "a clear statement that you do not wish to resolve disputes with any Sony entity through arbitration."

The waiver does not affect any actions brought on or before 20 August 2011.

Sony suffered a number of hacks over a protracted period this year, including intrusions in the PlayStation Network and Sony Online Entertainment systems, which exposed millions of users' personal details.