Sony gave me Crohn's disease

**Askthepizzaguy** · 07-23-2009, 03:15

http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/p...speech/1336479

July 21 1:53 P.M.

A California man who was banned from Sony's Playstation Network isn't going away quietly, reports Gamepolitics.
Resistance Censorship

Erik Estavillo has filed a lawsuit against the Playstation 3 maker, alleging that the company violated his right to free speech and caused undue pain and suffering.

According to the suit, the San Jose resident's problems began when he was banned from the Network due to his behavior in the online first-person shooter, Resistance: Fall of Man. Estavillo claims he was unfairly targeted by the game's moderators and believes his First Amendment rights have been ignored. From the suit:

"...the plaintiff was exercising his First Amendment Rights to Freedom of Speech in the game's public forum when he was banned from, not only the Resistance video game, but also banned from playing all other games online via the PlayStation Network."

He further asserts that by denying him access to pre-paid points stored in his Playstation Network Wallet Fund, Sony is also guilty of theft.

In addition to requesting that Sony end the practice of banning entirely, Estavillo is seeking $55,000 in punitive damages connected to his suffering from a variety of ailments exacerbated by the ban, including Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, Major Depression, Crohn's Disease and Agoraphobia.

Sony hasn't commented on the matter.

I was almost ready to accept the idea of a first amendment rights violation, but the excessive punitive damages and the link between Sony's ban and freaking Agoraphobia is where he lost me. I like video games but seriously, this person needs to get a little bit more fresh air. Being banned might be a good thing for this guy. Can I sue the United States government for polices which have exacerbated my unemployment?

Also, bit of advice:
Never exacerbate in the morning, it makes you drowsy.

**Tratorix** · 07-23-2009, 03:18

So, being unable to obsessively play video games all day worsened his obsessive-compulsive disorder and agoraphobia? How would that work? Guy just saw an opportunity for a big payday here.

**Askthepizzaguy** · 07-23-2009, 03:27

By the way, don't forums have the right to censor certain content? Freedom of speech only applies when you're not a guest on someone else's website. IMHO, the brutal and tyrannical rule of forum moderators and administrators is what makes our community a pleasant place to live, because the trolls and bots get turned into giblets.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

**Crazed Rabbit** · 07-23-2009, 03:34

Well, one matter will be whether Sony can deny a person access to the network they've paid to access for - what? - vulgarity?

The listing of diseases just seems stupid, though.

CR

**Xiahou** · 07-23-2009, 05:00

Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit

Well, one matter will be whether Sony can deny a person access to the network they've paid to access for - what? - vulgarity?

The listing of diseases just seems stupid, though.

CR

You don't pay to access PSN. Also, the Terms of Service states that certain standards of behavior are expected and they have full discretion on dealing with problems. This lawsuit is stupid and frivolous.

**Crazed Rabbit** · 07-23-2009, 05:29

Originally Posted by Xiahou

You don't pay to access PSN. Also, the Terms of Service states that certain standards of behavior are expected and they have full discretion on dealing with problems. This lawsuit is stupid and frivolous.

Well in that case it ought to be thrown out with prejudice.

CR