[dropcap size=small]S[/dropcap]ony has begun reaching out to U.S. users with details about how they can claim compensation over the infamous PlayStation Network that compromised more than 70 million accounts back in 2011. The attack brought down network services for the better part of a month, and even lead to a congressional hearing.
Last year, Sony announced a $15 million settlement, and has now released details on how affected users can proceed.
Anyone who had an account with PlayStation Network, Qriocity, or Sony Online Entertainment before May 15, 2011 can request documents to file a settlement claim via PSNSOESettlement.com.
Individual compensation will vary depending on what type of account(s) you had at the time. Per Sony’s official descriptions, some of the options include include:
-
Payment equal to paid wallet balances (if $2 or more) in PSN or SOE accounts that have been inactive since the intrusions.
-
One or more of the following: a free PS3 or PSP game, three free PS3 themes, or a free three-month subscription to PlayStation Plus (once valid claims exceed $10 million, class members will still be eligible for one free month of PlayStation Plus).
-
A free month of Music Unlimited for Qriocity account holders who did not have a PSN account.
-
$4.50 in SOE Station Cash (amounts will be reduced proportionally if valid claims exceed $4 million).
The free game choices included in the settlement are Infamous (PS3), LittleBigPlanet (PS3), Super Stardust HD (PS3), Rain (PS3), Dead Nation (Ps3), LittleBigPlanet (PSP), Killzone: Liberation (PSP), ModNation Racers (PSP), and Patapon 3 (PSP).
Additionally, Sony will reimburse users with out-of-pocket charges who suffered legitimate identity theft related to the network attack. Those users can receive up to $2,500, but will need to provide proper documentation that the theft was a result of the network hack.
Those of you pilgrims who don’t want to file claim forms over the internet can request the forms from Sony’s Claims Administrator by writing to “PSN-SOE Settlement, PO Box 1947, Faribault, MN 55021” or by calling 1-877-552-1284.
A Fairness Hearing on May 1, 2015 to confirm the settlement will be held by a court assigned to the case, and all claim submissions must be filed either online or in the mail by August 31, 2015.
For the record, Sony still denies fault, stating: “The Sony Entities deny any claims of wrongdoing in this case, and the settlement does not mean that the Sony Entities violated any laws or did anything wrong.”
