British PS3 Owner Refunded for Disabled Linux Install Feature

Amazon has refunded a British PS3 owner 84 pounds or $130 after initially sending an email to the online store regarding any recourse available in the wake of the 3.21 firmware update this week, which eliminated the capability to install Linux on the console on older models manufactured from 2006-2008.

The customer cited European law Directive 1999/44/EC, stating that goods must (1) comply with the description given by the seller and possess the same qualities and characteristics as other similar goods, and (2) be fit for the purpose which the consumer requires them and which was made known to the seller at the time of purchase.

As the console is now out of compliance under the above directive, it remains to be seen how far the situation will escalate, as Sony touted the feature quite heavily for consumers in the past and is now actively changing its stance.

Another issue is that Sony received a massive tax break in the UK/EU, as the capability to install a general operating system allowed them to classify the console as a “freely programmable general purpose computer” which allowed it to avoid additional VAT and import tarrifs. Without the break, the console would have been up to twice as expensive as its competitors at the time of its launch in the above regions.