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Waccoon

Finally got it!  Jackpot!

Well, the day has finally arrived, and... I got my OtherOS settlement for my "phat" PS3.

A whopping 10 bux.  Lol.

$10.07 to be precise.  Yes, there were estimates for "up to $65", but we all know estimates are hogwash.

Now, I understand that the purpose of these settlements is not to reimburse customers for damages, but to punish companies for doing stupid things.  I never expected to get much, if anything at all.  The amount is not what bugs me.  What does bother me is that the total penalties for the issue amounts to less than 4 million, which is peanuts, and that it took a whopping 8+ years for action to be taken.  Almost a decade.  Wow.

Think about how long Sony kept delaying the settlement, continuously re-investing and earning profit on that money, before they had to pay up.  Not only was the settlement a mere slap on the wrist, but it was even less in the end, given that investment and economic shifts means the payout is worth less over time.  I wonder if Sony got to claim the settlement as a tax write-off.  8)

For anyone who knows me, you're aware I'm VERY sensitive to the issue of companies taking things away from people after purchase, or otherwise adding some kind of planned obsolescence or expiration date.  We're becoming increasingly tolerant of this, consumer protection laws are breaking down, and it's happening more often.  Companies think they still own and control property after selling it, and can even downgrade the product after you buy it... like what Tesla has done a few times (oh, don't even get me started about those guys).

In other news, the remastered Spyro Ignited game was also officially released.  All three games on a single disc!  Well, actually, only the first game is on the disc, and the other two have to be downloaded, ensuring that we have all the disadvantages of physical media and disadvantages of digital media all in one package!  Isn't that great?  It's nice to know there's yet another wonderful thing I won't be spending my 10 bux on.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I won't be spending my 10 bux on a shiny new upgrade for my PC, because Windows7 still suits my needs just fine, and I hear that if I upgrade enhance my experience to Windows10, my system could get wiped clean due to an "oopsie" and I'd lose all my data and my license would be accidentally deactivated and I couldn't even reinstall my system.  Sweet!  I suppose I could also just not buy a Mac, and thus avoid dealing with a doubly-expensive machine with that new T2 security chip which makes the system effectively unrepairable, even when using genuine 1st-party parts direct from Apple.  Happy days!  All this innovation is making me giddy!

I could even not put my 10 bux towards Oxygen Not Included.  An offline-only game with online-only DRM and a sleazy EULA where they say they can disable the game any time they want and they don't even have to give you a reason.  That includes even if you give the game a bad review or otherwise do anything legally protected under Fair Use.  Sign me up!

What is the world coming to?

Call me paranoid, a worrywart, or crazy, but I miss the days when we actually owned the things we bought, and it really hurts me when people say it's "no big deal" when products die when the DRM servers go offline or updates remove features.  It's a very big deal, even just on principle alone.  I'd rather toss my 10 bux into the trash if it meant I could get OtherOS back.

No wonder I'm getting back into 80's computers, again.  You know, back when you actually owned things and they fuckin' worked.  I dread to think what's coming over the next 10-20 years.

Fight the good fight, people.  Do what you can to stop the digital book burning, 'cause settlements sure as hell won't cut it.
Viewed: 45 times
Added: 5 years, 4 months ago
 
SuperBH
5 years, 4 months ago
Well, you won the case. That HAS to count for something, right?
Waccoon
5 years, 4 months ago
It's better than not winning, but it still sends a clear message that screwing with consumers is still worth the trouble, even if it's illegal.

Reminds me of all the price fixing that occurs in the LCD and memory markets.  Those companies and consortiums break the law all the time, but they just pay the fines and continue business as usual.  The profits are way higher than the fines, so... why not?
AxleFurret
5 years, 4 months ago
I hope the farmers fighting for "right to repair" laws for their tractors and farm equipment also end up covering ALL consumer purchased products in the future.

This "Product as a service" stuff is bullshit.
Waccoon
5 years, 4 months ago
The main issue with Right to Repair laws is that they always try to include exemptions.  So, yeah, they pass a law that says consumers have a right to repair, BUT tractor and automobile companies are somehow completely exempt... for reasons.  They also ensure that parts will be available to consumers, BUT you still need special tools, including encrypted diagnostics software, to install and "authorize" the parts.  Sigh.

When everyone is special... no one will be!
AxleFurret
5 years, 4 months ago
More of a reason for me going back to  carbureted cars and stuff before the mid-2000s. *chuckles*
orwin
5 years, 4 months ago
I never got mine because apparently it was only for US customers. :/
Waccoon
5 years, 4 months ago
Wow.  Do you live in Europe?  I wouldn't thought the EU would have jumped all over this issue.
TheRealMedley
5 years, 4 months ago
Reading this reminds me that Nintendo has gone down the disgusting rabbit hole of "DLC packs, which for physical games you can choose what you get but if you're like me and actually want digital games (it stays on your Nintendo profile so just in case you wipe your system you can get it back for free instead of having to buy a new one) you have to buy ALL of the DLC packs and be greatful for that $91.99 game you just bought even though you didn't want 4/5 of the DLC....

Smash Bros Ultimate is what I am referring too.. Asked a friend how much the game cost they said "49.99" I said no its a major name so its gonna be like "120.99" with all DLC included... This first 5 pack of DLC isn't going to be the last pack... I fear how much Nintendo will force its users to drop on it for DLC...
Waccoon
5 years, 4 months ago
That's nothing.  Have you heard about Nintendo forcibly updating the system software with a new EULA, and bricking your console if you don't agree?  Even Sony and Microsoft, as corrupt as they are, haven't gone that far, yet.

When most manufacturers update their EULA, they require you to agree to the new terms, or else they won't let you use new games and peripherals with the system.  If you don't agree to the new terms, your old stuff will work just fine.  Well, Nintendo thinks otherwise, and they will lock your system completely until you agree to any changes in the terms, no matter what they are.  It's scary to think that any company can kill your device because you won't agree to changes in the terms after you buy the machine.  So, they don't just reserve the right to drop support for a device, they literally believe they have the right to take it away from you.

Imagine if the housing market worked that way.  You sign a contract to pay $300,000 for a house, but a year after the purchase, the sellers knock on your door and demand another $100,000, or else they repossess.  That's illegal for physical properties and contracts, of course, but apparently "gray area" with regards to IP and EULAs.

Yet another reason why the Gamecube was my last Nintendo purchase.  In general, game companies are pretty terrible, but IMO Nintendo has officially become unethical.
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