Gamers are a finicky bunch, aren’t we? Every time I turn around, we’re boycotting this, or suing over that. Well, this time, I think we might actually have a case. I’m not a lawyer, so I really don’t know, but this story is interesting, just the same.
Follow the jump for all the information.
According to Kotaku, the lawyer’s name is Alan Himmelfarb and he’s doing this on behalf of not only Melissa Thomas, but all of you out there who bought Spore. Isn’t that nice of him?
Now, you may be wondering just what they’re suing over.
Apparently, there’s this little thing called SecuROM that installs to your computer when you install Spore. I’m not exactly sure what it does, but everything I’ve read about it does not make it sound very good at all. I had heard about it before installing the game, but only by name. Then when installing the game, it was never even mentioned that I can remember.
Now, I, as a video game blogger, have no idea exactly what SecuROM does to my computer. What is a mom who buys this game for her daughter going to know about it? This is why I think Mr. Himmelfarb may just have a case here, since part of their suit addresses complaints that users aren’t aware of what SecuROM exactly does on their computer. Just what exactly does it do? This sums up what I know about it:
“(It 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.”
That sounds pretty bad to me. EA might actually have to fight on this one. Stay tuned for all your Spore Lawsuit news.
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11 responses so far ↓
1 Gingerbob // Sep 24, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Anyone else think that we should call it the Spore-suit? xD
2 Drazial // Sep 24, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Ehh, I’m not so sure that EA is going to be too worried about this. I mean, it sounds like the intent is to keep the computer out of harm rather than an invasion of privacy or whatever the problem is, more details?
3 DigIt // Sep 24, 2008 at 2:49 pm
That sounds like a trojan horse…..they probably put it in to monitor you and see if you pirate it
4 Edthefreak // Sep 24, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Yes, but it isn’t giving a clear warning that it’s doing that. That’d be like someone stalking you protecting you from people that are coming to greet you, though you never asked them to. Plus, not all those people may be bad.
5 Lord Butters I // Sep 24, 2008 at 3:23 pm
That’s why I keep saying that people should crack their game! Never install software that operates above the operating system!
6 wolflive // Sep 24, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Hmmm, I just want to install the game, not software that;
“overseeing function and operation on the computer, preventing the computer from operating under certain circumstances and/or disrupting hardware operations.”
7 FlintSteelton // Sep 24, 2008 at 5:07 pm
SecuROM is what EA uses to fight against piracy, which is instead promoting piracy by making Spore the most pirated software thus far. This software is clearly NOT doing what it was intended to do and is instead hurting honest consumers.
The “preventing the computer from operating under certain circumstances” is the biggest issue here. Some program will not work when SecuROM is installed, especially programs it “black lists” like Deamon Tools, Alcohol 120%, and system monitors, tool which in their own right can be used for things OTHER than pirating, a comcept EA is not aware of. It can even interfere with Virus programs.
Because of this, installing spore can cause other programs to not work and potentially make it impossible to play the game. It limits the installs for the game to 3, giving the assumption that anyone installing more than 3 times is a pirate. however, if someone buys a new computer or upgrades it, they need to use another install license to activate the product again.
SecuROM slows down the system to different degrees (depending on the conputer set-up or installed software) and does not uninstall with the game. This software has the potential to send back information to EA about computers and since no promt was issued to install it can make it a case about personal privacy.
I hate the fact ath EA thinks we’re all pirates and making it harder for honest consumers to play the game. I don’t want anything that is intrusive to my system and dictates what can and cannot run on my machine. I strongly urge everyone to not buy this game until EA has removed this horrendous garbage included in an interesting game.
8 lwelyk // Sep 24, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Problem is somewhere hidden deep in the EULA there is probably something that mentions all of this and says that by installing you are aware of these things. I’m thinking this won’t last too long.
9 typhoon // Sep 25, 2008 at 3:16 am
I don’t think there is much of a case because spore is web based with transfers always coming through from other gamers spore accounts and it just stops all the viruses and things coming through from the other people as for what people have been saying with it stuffing up there pc’s but i havn’t even had a problem with it
10 Alchemist // Sep 25, 2008 at 11:34 am
My question would be whether anyone has even tried contacting EA about getting more licenses?
I don’t own the game and thus haven’t tried myself but it seems everyone is automatically assuming it’s tough to get additional licenses.
I’m curious as to just how hard or… GASP! How easy it might be to get them? It might just be a case of reciting the number on the back of the box, over the phone.
If anyone has seen an article on the process, please post the link? I’m sure I am not the only person interested in hearing about it.
11 FlintSteelton // Sep 25, 2008 at 8:19 pm
@Alchemist
Mass Effect was annoying to get more licenses for and used the same DRM. Took a few minutes to get someone on the phone, then you needed to explain why you needed another license and where you other ones went. Then they only give you ONE more license. There’s also no guarantee that you’ll get another license. Most likely they will, but they control when you can install it.
The limited installs is not the only issue. SecuROM is considered a Trojan to many users like myself. I don’t want anything controlling my computer in any way, and since I didn’t agree to the software then it shouldn’t be putting it on it. It’s just plain annoying and offers me nothing in return.
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