PS3 Owner Gets $100 Rebate for Losing Linux
A European PS3 owner has claimed a partial refund because of Sony's decision to axe Linux support.
When we reported that Sony would be ditching OtherOS support, killing off the ability to run Linux on your console, a lot of you suggested that this couldn't be legal. What about people who purchased the PS3 with this feature in mind? Wouldn't taking it away mean the console no longer performed as advertised?
Well, that's what one European user said when he complained to Amazon. PlayStation University reports that NeoGAF forum moderator "iapetus" received over $100 in credit from Amazon for his original purchase of his PlayStation 3. Iapetus filed a complaint with the etailer on the grounds that removing Linux support violates European Union consumer laws. Amended in 2002 to affect all EU member states, the law states that all goods "must be fit for the purpose which the consumer requires them and which was made known to the seller at the time of purchase."
The response iapetus got from Amazon is pasted below:
"We are writing to confirm that we have processed your refund in the amount of £84.00 for your Order 666-5327564-4432412. This refund is for the following item(s): Item: Sony PlayStation 3 Console (60GB Premium Version) Quantity: 1 ASIN: B0007SV734 Reason for refund: Account adjustment The following is the breakdown of your refund for this item: Item Refund: £71.49 Item Tax Refund: £12.51"
PlayStation University reports that because Sony made it known at the time of purchase that you would be able to install an ‘Other OS’ the owner was able to raise this issue with Amazon. Amazon's policy was to offer a partial refund whether the consumer had used that feature or not.
It's not yet clear if Amazon has awarded other PS3 owners similar rebates, or even if anyone else has tried to get a refund.
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Jane McEntegart is a writer, editor, and marketing communications professional with 17 years of experience in the technology industry. She has written about a wide range of technology topics, including smartphones, tablets, and game consoles. Her articles have been published in Tom's Guide, Tom's Hardware, MobileSyrup, and Edge Up.
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ailgatrat I wonder if this would apply in the USA? Is Sony reimbursing Amazon for these refunds?Reply -
babybeluga I am in love with the sad penguin! I want to take it home to meet my parents!Reply
I don't think Amazon should have done this (if it's true). This will only open the floodgates (I'll be one of the people flooding in - $600 when the PS3 came out...What was I thinking!). -
sliem That's nice but it won't apply for all since Sony already loses money on each PS3 sold...Reply -
JMcEntegart crazymechAnyone got a link to that law data?Reply
The EU law cited in the article can be found here. :) About halfway down the page. -
mman74 Case for a class action perhaps? At the very least Sony should offer some PSN credits. I have a fat boy PS3 and I am very very disappointed with Sony on this.Reply -
t-vizz the 2nd If Amazon is offering partial refunds I can assume they are getting ready to sue? I mean I don't see why a retailer would do that, people aren't mad at Amazon, they are mad at Sony. No one I think was expecting them to step in. I assume they are doing this so they can sue and look like the peoples hero.Reply -
dman3k I wish that the US has more consumer production laws. Most US laws protect the big corporations.Reply