Microsoft Sued for 5 Million

[Bartholomew]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6184323.html

When Halo 3 was released, Microsoft decided to let everyone have a few days to play it on the private Xbox Live servers, free. This, naturally, caused slow-down, and even outages in some areas.

Most sane gamers found something else to do, realizing that in a few days, everything would go back to normal. Microsoft apologized (Xbox Live requires a monthly fee) and all the subscribers were given a free game download.

I am not normally a big fan of Microsoft--but come on. What damages does a server outage cost 5 million dollars? How is the free game not more than enough reparation? The outage lasted a week. That's not 5 million dollars in damage. I know Microsoft can eat the loss, and I know not many are sympathetic to them--but I really hope this gets laughed out of court. If Microsoft has to blow millions to defend themselves, it would be a travesty.

Our legal system surely has better things to deal with.

[whistlelock]

those unemployed gamers are serious about their clan commitments.

[Storm Dream]

Wow, they couldn't play their stupid game for the holidays so they deserve five million?

Where are all the Earth & Beyond players? THAT game shut down out of the blue as I recall. Why isn't anyone being sued over there?

But five million???

I am in awe.

(I also have a special loathing for Halo, which is adding to my dismay.)

I'm by no means thrilled with Microsoft, but I hope they smack these idiots down.

[slcboston]

Just goes to show, if someone can dream up a lawsuit, there's a lawyer somewhere willing to take it on.