Sony Disable “Install Other OS” in firmware (v3.21)

While I agree that OtherOS wasn't a part of the advertised featureset from what I remember, it wasn't hidden in that it was in the XMB for everyone to see and explained in the manual. I don't think it right to reimburse every PS3 owner for it's loss, but for those who did lose OtherOS functionality there should probably be some recompense, with free Cell development boards for anyone who was developing Cell stuff.

 

No it was advertised. They were touting it all over the web and at conferences...

Now on the box? I dunno anymore..If I only had my day 1 60GB box I could see if it was on the back of the box. I'm pretty sure it was though.

What is the current legal state of affairs with Sony over this? Is the lawsuit moving forward?

 

When this news came out I looked for it on my 60Gb box, but I didn't find it.

 

If that's considered advertising then Peter Molyneux can be sued for false advertising too.

 

It wasn't on the box but it was in the manual as someone noted above. Meaning it was put forth as an integral part of the machine as sold. Assuming we want to disregard all statements and PR put out by Sony advocating this feature.

It would be similar to removing the fast forward and rewind features of media players a few years after the fact even though it may not have been printed on the box it came in. Or the record feature of a VCR (not all VCR boxes touted the ability to record video) due to concerns it may be used for piracy.

Regards,
SB

 

It's not that clear cut. The fact remains that few people use PS3 Linux, and it is now being used as a vessel to hack into GameOS. OTOH, record is a core feature of the VCR.

This one is probably best left for the courts to decide.

 

As mentioned in an earlier post, I think we need to look at the bigger picture in this case. Its not about removing OtherOS, but about removing a feature that was included at purchase time and whether that is acceptable.

In the specific case of OtherOS, I'd guess that it needs to be proved that Sony intended the OtherOS as feature that you payed for with the PS3 or that Sony proves they just lumped it in there for "free" just to be nice.

Then I guess we/the courts need to create some rules that should guide vendors to clarify what is a "free" and none supported ie removable feature in the future. And what needs to be considered as a core feature that can never be removed etc

 

Air Force may suffer collateral damage from PS3 firmware update:
http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2010/05/how-removing-ps3-linux-hurts-the-air-force.ars

They should have worked out a win-win deal with Sony long ago.

 

Wouldn't Sony have to actually sell the PS3s at above MSRPs to make up for the fact that they'll probably never run a Blu-Ray or game?

 

Absolutely. I doubt the Air Force walks into Gamestop to get their gear.

 

I'm confused. Where did they get 1700 fat ps3's? Sony had them lying around?

 

That's actually covered in the article linked to by Patsu. Short and sweet, a 3rd party vendor (with a letter from Sony stating that many PS3 Heavies were even available).

 

Glad that got cleared up !

Now focus on GameOS and Android/Google TV.

EDIT: ... or may be not. This line of argument is pretty compelling too:
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?p=21660611#post21660611

 

That does sound awfully fishy. If if were remotely true, someone at Sony must have lost their marbles to suggest or decide offering a whopping 50% refund for any feature, let alone a minor one.

Although the only logical angle would be refunding registered owners only, so if you're not, tough luck. Still, fishy.

 

Clearly bunkum. 50% refund is nonsense wishful thinking. OtherOS is not nor ever has been worth half the value of the PS3 to 99.999% of PS3 owners at least, and there's no way on Earth a court would order that much of a refund, nor that Sony would agree to it without extremely lengthy legal wranlging.

 

True, but such lawsuits are not always based on "value." See: Rumble.

 

Rumble was a loss to the patent holders, who actually had a legal right to compensation. Joe Public doesn't even know they had OtherOS to lose, and apart from being greedy and willing to take anything on offer, quite happy to claim removing OtherOS was an infringement of their Human Rights and one or other Ammendments if it means a few bucks for nothing, they wouldn't bother about its removal. There's no fair nor sane reason to expect substantial payback. Even as a financial penalty it doesn't warrant losing $billions over this. Worst case, Sony just have to put OtherOS back on.

 

The problem is you are valuating the feature on the behalf of others.

Put another way, I have no interest in Bluray so I think Sony has the right to remove it and not compensate you because from where I stand it is pretty worthless.

Those sort of arguements (and yes, BluRay > OtherOS) are really neither here or there. The material facts are Sony marketed a feature, said it wouldn't be removed, and then removed it. This harmed consumers. Even if you roll your eyes and think it is stupid, lame, etc... you aren't those consumers. Further, Sony should have never marketed the feature.

But you are right that it may take a major class action lawsuit to make Sony restore the feature. The issue is less how valuable, on average, the feature was but the fact it was a supported feature, marketed, and purchased for such by some consumers and later said consumers had to choose between keeping said feature or losing other supported features.

It could be an interesting battleground going forward in terms of corporate vs. consumer rights. I am sure Sony wants to have the end say in what features they maintain and provide for all their products.

 

The feature was never really marketed; the push has always been about BD and games. A few PR heads opened their mouths very early on as noted in the lawsuit and fueled it.

The case is messy, no doubt about it. But one thing is for sure, Sony's PR is going to be very calculated from now on.