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japanese conglomerate sony is facing accusations of breaching the us computer fraud and abuse act for removing the otheros feature from playstation 3s it had sold that saw linux able to run on the console.

The japanese technology and media giant has been fighting a class action lawsuit filed by 20 plaintiffs while simultaneously going after alleged ps3 hackers. While sony has so far succeeded in getting a judge to accept that it can sue one george holz for computer fraud and abuse, because he allegedly distributed advice on how to hack the ps3, the japanese mega-corporation itself has been unsuccessful in getting all of the plaintiffs' allegations against it dismissed in the same jurisdiction.

It now faces one allegation of breaking the us computer fraud and abuse act because of its removal of the otheros capability in the ps3. It also faces a likely refiling of several other allegations by the plaintiffs.

Set out in detail at the blog groklaw, a posting states that sony managed to have allegations dismissed that it is in "breach of express warranty, breach of implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, a california consumer legal remedies act claim, a magnuson-moss warranty act claim, and claims alleging conversion, unfair competition, and unjust enrichment."

both cases are going to be heard in the us district court for the northern district of california in san francisco, however the two lawsuits will be presided over by different judges. µ

I sure hope they get nailed for this dirty trick.

The Inquirer