Class Action over Xbox Live

A Georgia (USA) resident has started a class action suit against Microsoft, claiming that Microsoft improperly allowed the man's son to subscribe to Xbox Live using the man's debit card, and then automatically renewed the subscription without authorization. Apparently the debit for the automatic renewal caused an overdraft on the man's account and a resulting penalty fee from the bank. Microsoft has refunded the subscription fee but not the bank penalty.

Microsoft has asked that the action be dismissed, on the ground that the man's son misrepresented his age when he subscribed to Xbox Live.

On-line contracts typically contain clauses confirming that the customer is of legal age and is able to enter into the contract, etc. It's not clear what else can be done in the e-commerce arena, as there's no simple way to verify age. Until there is, parents should make sure they keep an eye on what their children are doing with their (the parents') credit cards and debit cards.

Coverage at Gamasutra.

Posted Thu, 15 November 2007 13