Sony Sued Over Removal Of Linux Support From PS3

Sony’s last major system update for the PS3, V3.21, made few visible changes to the OS but omitted one major feature. It removed the PS3′s Linux support so that users could no longer install it on their consoles. While the update was not mandatory it was essentially a necessity as without it, users could not access any of PlayStation’s online features.

Although not many people really cared for the fact that the Linux support was removed, one man has taken it upon himself to get back at the big corporation. Anthony Ventura of California filed a class action lawsuit against Sony on 27th April.

According to Ventura, the removal of the ‘Other OS’ feature from PS3′s is an “intentional disablement of the valuable functionality originally advertised as available” as well as a deceptive corporate practice “perpetrated on millions of unsuspecting customers.”

In response Sony released a statement wherein it stated that the removal of the ‘Other OS’ feature was for security reasons. Although the lawsuit claims that these security reasons centred more around piracy than actual user safety. It states:

“On information and belief, contrary to Sony’s statement, the ‘security concerns’ did not involve a threat to PS3 users, but rather reflected Sony’s concerns that the Other OS feature might be used by ‘hackers’ to copy and/or steal gaming and other content.”

The suit also cites that Sony is in breach of California’s Unfair Competition law by forcing users to either update and lose their ‘Other OS’ functionality or not update and lose their online functionality and services.

perhaps the only nugget of solid ground in this lawsuit is that PS3 owners have no say in the system Software License Agreement which is only provided after purchasing the console. This includes the terms and conditions under which features and functions may be removed. The main argument here is that Sony can change the System Software License agreement at will and users are almost forced to comply with it or risk losing many features of the PS3.

The suit has been filed on behalf of PS3 owners nationwide in the US who bought their consoles between 17 November 2006 and 27 March 2010. the suit is asking for injunction relief, compensatory damages and among other things, a reported $5 million. To be honest, this guy seems to just be looking for a quick buck or has taken up the age-old American past-time of suing big corporations.