|
As many of you know, SecuROM is a particularly nasty piece of software that secretly installs itself on your computer, communicates encrypted data to remote servers, and makes it all but impossible to eradicate completely from your system. Thankfully, this malware behavior has now attracted the attention of legal professionals who are interested in protecting the rights of unwitting victims of SecuROM.
At the time of writing: there has only been one Class Action lawsuit filed with the courts. Stay Tuned!
UPDATE: There have been TWO THREE Class Action suits filed by KamberEdelson, LLC against Electronic Arts, an additional class action by Finkelstein Thompson, and one more Class Action suit by Girard Gibbs LLC against Electronic Arts for the use of SecuROM.
This page is here to help you connect with the lawyers who are out to put a stop to the DRM madness.
Lawsuit #1:
Melissa Thomas vs Electronic Arts Inc. Courthouse News - Spore PDF file
Lawsuit Status:
Class action lawsuit filed on September 22, 2008. Voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiff on November 18, 2008 (Source http://www.edge-online.com/features/ea-securom-suits-moving-forward). Lawyers appear to be consolidating suit with other, related suits. More details as they become available.
Attorney Contact Information:
Alan Himmelfarb, Esq
KamberEdelson, LLC
2757 Leonis Blvd
Vernon California 90058-2304
Telephone: (323) 585-8696
email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Lawsuit Scope:
Global Customers who purchased Spore for PC or Mac.
Lawfirm History with DRM Issues:
Was involved with the successful lawsuit against Ubisoft's StarForce DRM system, was first to file suit against Sony's XCP rootkit software, and is currently pursuing a case versus Microsoft's Windows Genuine Advantage DRM system.
Other:
KamberEdelson is very interested in investigating reports of other DRM infested games, other companies using DRM software on games, and other DRM programs for more potential class action law suits to follow.
If you have technical information about DRM software, or can demonstrate issues caused by SecuROM or similar DRM software, they are very interested to hear your story.You can contact them at the email address noted above in the contacts section.
Lawsuit #2:
Brandon Gardner vs Electronic Arts Inc. Mass Effect Lawsuit PDF
Lawsuit Status:
Class action lawsuit filed on October 6, 2008
Attorney Contact Information:
Alan Himmelfarb, Esq
KamberEdelson, LLC
2757 Leonis Blvd
Vernon California 90058-2304
Telephone: (323) 585-8696
email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Lawsuit Scope:
Global Customers who purchased Mass Effect for PC. Causes of action similar to the Spore suit but also include a complaint about the use of the activation limits to circumvent secondhand sales.
Lawfirm History with DRM Issues:
Was involved with the successful lawsuit against Ubisoft's StarForce DRM system, was first to file suit against Sony's XCP rootkit software, and is currently pursuing a case versus Microsoft's Windows Genuine Advantage DRM system.
Other:
KamberEdelson is very interested in investigating reports of other DRM infested games, other companies using similar DRM software on games, and other DRM software for more potential class action law suits to follow.
If you have technical information about DRM software, or can demonstrate issues caused by SecuROM or similar DRM software, they are very interested to hear your story.You can contact them at the email address noted above in the contacts section.
Lawsuit #3:
Richard Eldridge vs Electronic Arts Inc. Spore Creature Creator
Lawsuit Status:
Class action lawsuit filed on October 14, 2008
Attorney Contact Information:
Alan Himmelfarb, Esq
KamberEdelson, LLC
2757 Leonis Blvd
Vernon California 90058-2304
Telephone: (323) 585-8696
email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Lawsuit Scope:
Global Customers who purchased or downloaded Spore Creature Creator for PC. Causes of action similar to the Spore suit.
Lawfirm History with DRM Issues:
Was involved with the successful lawsuit against Ubisoft's StarForce DRM system, was first to file suit against Sony's XCP rootkit software, and is currently pursuing a case versus Microsoft's Windows Genuine Advantage DRM system.
Other:
KamberEdelson is very interested in investigating reports of other DRM infested games, other companies using similar DRM software on games, and other DRM software for more potential class action law suits to follow.
If you have technical information about DRM software, or can demonstrate issues caused by SecuROM or similar DRM software, they are very interested to hear your story.You can contact them at the email address noted above in the contacts section.
Lawsuit #4:
Dianna Cortez vs. Electronic Arts Class Action pdf
Lawsuit Status:
Class action lawsuit filed on October 27, 2008
Attorney Contact Information:
Derrick Connelly
Girard Gibbs LLP
Telephone: (866) 981-4800
Website: Here
Lawsuit Scope:
U.S.-only customers who purchased any PC game published by Electronic Arts that used SecuROM DRM.
Lawfirm History with DRM Issues:
They were part of the Sony/BMG XCP rootkit lawsuit.
Other:
Girard Gibbs LLP is currently investigating complaints that certain Electronic Arts computer games, including Spore, Sims 2 expansion packs, Need for Speed, Medal of Honor, and Command and Conquer, automatically install an undisclosed Digital Rights Management program (DRM) called SecuROM on users’ computers. DRM is a form of technology that is used to protect copyrighted material by restricting the consumer’s ability to copy or distribute it.
Some consumers complain that SecuROM, which they are unable to uninstall, disrupts the operation of their computers by interfering with other software, such as anti-virus programs.
If you have purchased Electronic Arts' computer games, or would like to learn more about the SecuROM investigation, please fill out the form on their website (linked above in the contacts section)
Lawsuit #5:
Alex McQuown vs. Electronic Arts Class Action pdf
Lawsuit Status:
Class action lawsuit filed on November 26, 2008
Attorney Contact Information:
Finkelstein Thompson LLP
100 Bush Street, Suite 1450
San Francisco California 94104
Telephone: (415) 398-8700
http://www.finkelsteinthompson.com/
Lawsuit Scope:
Customers who purchased Spore Creature Creator by Electronic Arts.
Lawfirm History with DRM Issues:
Unknown to us at this time, but they have previously filed suit against EA for violating antitrust laws relating to exclusive contracts with various sporting franchises.
Other:
The RYG/Prism Team |
