South Lorenya
13-11-2008, 07:14
Regardless of whether or not you support digital rights management (DRM), it's safe to agree that companies who employ DRM measures to dissuade piracy should at least inform people that the software is being installed and ensure that it works correctly.
Because otherwise, a company might get sued. Twice.
According to Gamepolitics, a Pennsylvania man and a Missouri woman filed separate suits against video game publisher EA back in October, claiming that two of the company's products unlawfully installed SecuROM digital rights management software on their computers. Both suits seek class-action status.
The first case involves the trial version of EA's enormously popular Spore Creature Creator. Plaintiff Richard Eldridge alleges that the installation of DRM software "constitutes a major violation of computer owners' absolute right to control what does and what does not get loaded onto their computers, and how their computers shall be used." His suit goes on to claim that the game's End User Licensing Agreement fails to mention SecurROM or DRM entirely.
The second suit, filed by self-described "avid Sims player" Diana Cortez, claims that the plaintiff started experiencing problems with her PC after installing The Sims 2: Bon Voyage. Cortez was unable to uninstall the DRM software and ultimately had to reformat her hard drive, prompting her to describe EA's business practices as "immoral, unethical, oppressive [and] unscrupulous."
It hasn't been an easy year for EA. The embattled publisher recently reported significant losses for the past quarter, cut forecasts for the remainder of the year and announced plans to lay off six percent of its workforce.
The two cases join a third class-action suit filed by a Maryland resident earlier this year over similar DRM issues pertaining to the full version of Spore. EA has yet to formally comment on the matter.
It's about friggin' time those jerks get sued... there's a reason I refuse to ever buy another EA game!
Because otherwise, a company might get sued. Twice.
According to Gamepolitics, a Pennsylvania man and a Missouri woman filed separate suits against video game publisher EA back in October, claiming that two of the company's products unlawfully installed SecuROM digital rights management software on their computers. Both suits seek class-action status.
The first case involves the trial version of EA's enormously popular Spore Creature Creator. Plaintiff Richard Eldridge alleges that the installation of DRM software "constitutes a major violation of computer owners' absolute right to control what does and what does not get loaded onto their computers, and how their computers shall be used." His suit goes on to claim that the game's End User Licensing Agreement fails to mention SecurROM or DRM entirely.
The second suit, filed by self-described "avid Sims player" Diana Cortez, claims that the plaintiff started experiencing problems with her PC after installing The Sims 2: Bon Voyage. Cortez was unable to uninstall the DRM software and ultimately had to reformat her hard drive, prompting her to describe EA's business practices as "immoral, unethical, oppressive [and] unscrupulous."
It hasn't been an easy year for EA. The embattled publisher recently reported significant losses for the past quarter, cut forecasts for the remainder of the year and announced plans to lay off six percent of its workforce.
The two cases join a third class-action suit filed by a Maryland resident earlier this year over similar DRM issues pertaining to the full version of Spore. EA has yet to formally comment on the matter.
It's about friggin' time those jerks get sued... there's a reason I refuse to ever buy another EA game!