- Oct 10, 2013
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Sony has updated the PSN Software Usage Terms ahead of the imminent release of the PlayStation 4.
At the moment the updated legal document is only live on the European PSN site, and there's no confirmation whether or not the North American Terms of Service will be getting a similar revamp. Regardless, it pertains to usage of any Sony system including the original PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PSP, Vita and PlayStation 4.
Two sections of the updated document in particular have come under scrutiny. The first of which, Section 14, is titled "Are We Monitoring PSN?" and contains the following information
Elsewhere in the document, it's explained that any Software you use is "licensed, not sold, which means you acquire rights to use the Software, as described in these Terms, but you do not acquire ownership of the Software.
While both paragraphs have caused some consternation online given Sony's previous statements that you'll be free to resell and trade games as you please, it's unlikely that this is anything suspect. The communication monitoring is probably an attempt to be upfront given all the privacy scandals that have taken place this year and what with the concerns consumers have expressed with Kinect. Besides, if you're not doing anything illegal there's nothing to fear.
The resale of games similarly is probably just Sony watching its back and taking steps to prevent piracy or profiteering. Given how regularly it's been promised that the PS4 will allow you to sell and buy used games, it's highly unlikely that Sony's going to do an about-face in the week of its North American launch.
Updated terms
At the moment the updated legal document is only live on the European PSN site, and there's no confirmation whether or not the North American Terms of Service will be getting a similar revamp. Regardless, it pertains to usage of any Sony system including the original PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PSP, Vita and PlayStation 4.
Two sections of the updated document in particular have come under scrutiny. The first of which, Section 14, is titled "Are We Monitoring PSN?" and contains the following information
Elsewhere in the document, it's explained that any Software you use is "licensed, not sold, which means you acquire rights to use the Software, as described in these Terms, but you do not acquire ownership of the Software.
While both paragraphs have caused some consternation online given Sony's previous statements that you'll be free to resell and trade games as you please, it's unlikely that this is anything suspect. The communication monitoring is probably an attempt to be upfront given all the privacy scandals that have taken place this year and what with the concerns consumers have expressed with Kinect. Besides, if you're not doing anything illegal there's nothing to fear.
The resale of games similarly is probably just Sony watching its back and taking steps to prevent piracy or profiteering. Given how regularly it's been promised that the PS4 will allow you to sell and buy used games, it's highly unlikely that Sony's going to do an about-face in the week of its North American launch.
Updated terms
