(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Sony is preparing to ban gamers from the PlayStation Network (PSN) unless they waive the right to collectively sue it over future security breaches.

The firm has amended PSN's terms and conditions and users have to agree to them next time they log in.

The move comes months after a string of hacking attacks compromised over 100 million accounts of the PlayStation Network subscribers.

It is, however, possible to opt out of the agreement within the next 30 days.

Gamers will now have to try to resolve any legal issues with an arbitrator picked by Sony, before being able to file a lawsuit.

The new clauses, dubbed "Binding Individual Arbitration," state that "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 or private attorney general action".

The re-written terms and conditions are being presented to gamers when they log in, but some have questioned who will notice the changes.

Tech news site The Register wondered who would notice the small print outlining the opt-out terms, and not simply click the "agree" box having scrolled all the way down.

Those that want to opt out will have to send a letter to Sony's Los Angeles headquarters in the US.

Once they do, the subscribers will be able to keep their right to file a class action lawsuit without any need for arbitration.

But before subscribers have a chance to opt out, they will still be required to agree to the new terms the next time they log into their accounts.

Otherwise they will not be able to use the online services.

Attacks and apology
A class action lawsuit filed against Sony in April after the first attack, in which the details of 77 million users were stolen and PSN went offline for 40 days, could end up costing the Japanese electronics giant billions of dollars.

Sony Online Entertainment, the company's computer games service, was also hit, as well as the Sony Pictures website, exposing personal information for 25 million more accounts.

In addition, personal data of 2,000 consumers was stolen from a Sony Ericsson website in Canada and details of 8,500 users were leaked on a Sony Music Entertainment website in Greece.

Some time later, a group called Lulz Security claimed to have broken into Sonypictures.com.

Sony has since apologised over the security breaches and offered compensation packages.


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Whats with the green?No need of it.

nothing i just think blacks boring

I agree that using green was a bad idea........is not easy on the eyes.

I read it fine with the green text.

Anyways, this is complete bullshit on Sony's part. So many companies are doing things like this now, thinking that it's possible for them to become invincible. :dumb:

this is why i posted what i did sony needs to be stop

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wait but my ps3 is broken :O will i gets the ban hammer

if sony gaves us what we wanted back then they would not got hacked in the first place
sony is lossing a ton of money fighting. less money would be lost if they just kept things the same im talking about the os and homebrew apps for ps3 thats why i got the ps3 system and not xbox truly xbox is better now than ps3 because what sony keeps doing to us.
sony is worrie about thier money but most times the best way is not the chapest
do yall know why os was tooken off ???????? i do because. it cost to much sony said everytime they updated the ps3 it would miss up something in the os so they took it away from us when that was one of key reason i got the ps3
wake up sony

sony is just trying to prove something...