EA is to face a class action lawsuit apparently, after plaintiffs have emerged who allege that the SecuROM copy protection used in
Spore breaches consumer law.
The copy protection system used in
Spore is one of many games lately using the SecuROM DRM system, with others including EA's
Mass Effect and Take Two's
BioShock on the PC. EA has also confirmed that it will be
using the system in Red Alert 3.
Though
Spore only allowed itself to be installed on three PCs and to be linked to a single account, EA has since
pledged to loosen the restrictions. This hasn't proved to be enough to placate some gamers however who object to the extra software being present on the disc, or who have had issues with DRM solution.
Now though, according to
Gamespot, plaintiffs are alleging that the DRM system used in
Spore puts the game in breach of consumer law. The complaint, which has been filed at the class-action level, seeks damaged for trespass, interference and unfair competition.
The case also seeks disgorgement of unjust profits and claims that SecuROM is "
secretly installed to the command and control center of the computer (Ring 0, or the Kernel), and surreptitiously operated, overseeing function and operation on the computer, preventing the computer from operating under certain circumstances and/or disrupting hardware operations."
Electronic Arts has responded only that "
We do not comment on matters of pending litigation."
If you still haven't checked out
Spore then make sure you check out our full
Spore review and analysis before heading to the forums and letting us know
what you think of DRM.
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