Sony changes terms to lessen hack liability
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 hack.
Sony was sued in April following a hack which left around 77 million customer details exposed.
The amended terms and conditions 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. Written notifications must be posted to 6080 Center Drive, 10th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90045, and be marked Attn: Legal Department/Arbitration. Gamers must 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", according to the terms and conditions.
The waiver does not affect any actions brought on or before 20 August 2011.