A class-action lawsuit involving the original PlayStation 3 model has been settled, and some owners of Sony PlayStation 3 can now claim money the Japanese electronics giant.
The lawsuit against Sony had been going on since 2010 after the company pulled off the OtherOS feature from the gaming console in one of its regular updates.
According to Tech Times, the OtherOS feature allowed users to install a Linux or Linux-based operating system in their "fat" PlayStation 3 allowing the users to reserve part of the space on the hard drives. The company said that it pulled the plug on the feature due to "security concerns."
This feature was only available in the first edition of the PlayStation 3, the later ones that came after 2010 did not come with this feature. Although Sony has not admitted any fault in this case. However, the company has decided to settle.
Two different categories of Sony customers are eligible to claim the money as part of the PlayStation 3 class action lawsuit. Gamers who are residents of the US and purchased the original model of the PlayStation 3 between November 1, 2006, and April 10, 2010, are eligible for a settlement amount.
Gamers who used the OtherOS feature of the PlayStation 3 before its removal and can prove the claim will be eligible for a settlement amount. Those who fall in this category will be eligible for a payout of $55.
The second category includes gamers who owned the PlayStation 3 from the same time period or later but never used it. Gamers can look to claim a payout of $9 if they belong to this category. A form will be available online that gamers will need to fill and also provide the necessary documents and receipts for verification to initiate the settlement process.
The deadline to submit a claim to receive payment from Sony through the PlayStation 3 class-action lawsuit is December 7.