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Gamereactor UK reports
Back when Sony and Microsoft revealed their seventh generation consoles, the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, they were in a war of who could shove the most bullet points onto their spec sheets.
That war [...] probably [...] played a part in the fact that you could install and run the Linux operating system on early models of the PS3.
Sony later removed the Linux option with a software update, as hackers had discovered that they could use it to circumvent anti-piracy functions on the console. But removing the Linux features--which Sony had advertised in the marketing of the console--pissed off a bunch of people.
Ars Technica continues
After six years of litigation, Sony is now agreeing to pay the price for its 2010 firmware update that removed support for the Linux operating system in the PlayStation 3.
Sony and lawyers representing as many as 10 million console owners reached the deal on [June 24]. Under the terms of the accord, (PDF) which has not been approved by a California federal judge yet, gamers are eligible to receive $55 if they used Linux on the console. The proposed settlement, which will be vetted by a judge next month, also provides $9 to each console owner that bought a PS3 based on Sony's claims about "Other OS" functionality.
[...] To get the $55, a gamer "must attest under oath to their purchase of the product and installation of Linux, provide proof of their purchase or serial number and PlayStation Network Sign-in ID, and submit some proof of their use of the Other OS functionality".
To get the $9, PS3 owners must submit a claim that, at the time they bought their console, they "knew about the Other OS, relied upon the Other OS functionality, and intended to use the Other OS functionality".
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PlayStation 4 Hacked to Run Linux
Sony BMG Rootkit Scandal: 10 Years Later
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday June 28 2016, @04:42PM
submit some proof of their use of the Other OS functionality
How can you prove that you used the "other OS functionality" if they removed it? Do you happen to have a screen shot?
Is this an intentional obstacle to ensure very very few (or even no one) can claim their $55?
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday June 28 2016, @04:46PM
There will be logs and other shit left on the system to be able to identify a previous installation. Step by step guides will be coming on how to get your 55 dollarydoos. If you were running linux on your ps3 you are probably sharp enough to be able to follow a guide or figure it out.
(Score: 2) by JNCF on Tuesday June 28 2016, @06:28PM
Step by step guides will be coming on how to get your 55 dollarydoos. If you were running linux on your ps3 you are probably sharp enough to be able to follow a guide or figure it out.
Will Sony reimburse you for your time? If so, at what rate? Any unreimbursed requirement beyond a proof-of-purchase is asking the victims to bare the burden of proof even though Sony is the one that broke their promise (resulting in retroactive false advertising). I'm just pointing this out, assumptions about my general position based on this comment will probably be wrong.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday June 28 2016, @07:10PM
I am not aware of any company the will reimburse you for your time, you're lucky enough to get your money back. Also the value of time is relative.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday June 29 2016, @09:20AM
Will Sony reimburse you for your time? If so, at what rate?
I think they told you. If you can't be arsed to spend some time for $55, then I guess you value your time more.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday June 28 2016, @10:25PM
Not sure how I will get it. I formatted that drive LONG ago and replaced it with a bigger faster one.
I did have it installed. Just not sure I can prove it at all.