Man sues Microsoft over alleged Xbox 360 glitch
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A Chicago man who bought Microsoft's new Xbox 360 has sued the software maker, saying the new video game console has a design flaw that causes it to overheat and freeze up.
The proposed class action suit claims that in Microsoft's bid to gain share in the $25 billion global video game market, the company was so intent on releasing the Xbox 360 before competing next-generation machines from Sony and Nintendo that it sold a "defectively designed" product.
Robert Byers, who brought the suit, said the power supply and central processing unit in the Xbox 360 overheat, affecting heat-sensitive chips and causing the console to lock up.
Complaints about the problem surfaced quickly on game enthusiast Web sites after the Xbox 360 debuted on Nov. 22.
Console owners reported that some systems had crashed during regular use, as well as during online gameplay using the Xbox Live service. Problems included screens going black and the appearance of a variety of error messages.
At the time, a Microsoft spokeswoman told Reuters: "We have received a few isolated reports of consoles not working as expected."
She declined to say how many reports Microsoft had received and said that calls reporting the issue to the company represented a "very, very small fraction" of units sold.
The lawsuit, filed on Friday in federal court in Illinois, seeks unspecified damages and litigation-related expenses, as well as the replacement or recall of Xbox 360 game consoles.
Microsoft representatives were not immediately available for comment on Monday.
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ALL HARDWARE NEED SOME AIR FLOW
Oliver Solman Dec 7, 2005, 7:50 AM PST
I'd bet it's user error
Mark Deibert Dec 7, 2005, 7:37 AM PST
it's not your fault
Oliver Solman Dec 7, 2005, 7:36 AM PST
How Much Liability?
Zaz.net Zaz.net Dec 6, 2005, 9:50 PM PST
Fast time 2 market => MS's problem
Victor Schmedding Dec 6, 2005, 3:47 PM PST
New Microsoft Product = Wait a Year
Brandon Rusnak Dec 6, 2005, 3:15 PM PST
Just wait
Peter Carpenter Dec 6, 2005, 11:55 AM PST
Sioux whom?
Lolo Gecko Dec 6, 2005, 11:07 AM PST
Caveat emptor
Lewis Salem Dec 6, 2005, 8:41 AM PST
CNET == Anti MS Propaganda machine
Future Guy Dec 6, 2005, 7:30 AM PST
What Next?
Bob Blume Dec 6, 2005, 7:29 AM PST
Sue Happy, Sensationalism Happy, or Just Plain Money Happy??
Mike Superville Dec 6, 2005, 5:36 AM PST
This Is a Bit SIlly (See iPod Nano lawsuits)
Damien Wright Dec 6, 2005, 5:13 AM PST
Can we sue for Window's glitchs?
Max Hodges Dec 6, 2005, 5:05 AM PST
This guy should a lawyer - Live for $$$$$
C.c. Shen Dec 6, 2005, 4:20 AM PST
A serious gamer's life...
Edmundo Mendiola Dec 6, 2005, 2:55 AM PST
Clowns...
Prentiss Whitley Dec 5, 2005, 10:09 PM PST
This is not a joke or an isolated instance...
Chris Genetti Dec 5, 2005, 10:07 PM PST
SONY
Michael Kiper Dec 5, 2005, 8:15 PM PST
Let's see MS supporters...
Marc Shapiro Dec 5, 2005, 7:44 PM PST
No Problems Here
Sean Kemp Dec 5, 2005, 7:13 PM PST
Message has been deleted.
Jessica Dec 5, 2005, 4:12 PM PST
My Experience
Greg Hanson Dec 5, 2005, 4:01 PM PST
What a joke
Fred Hunter Dec 5, 2005, 3:50 PM PST
For Those Against The Lawsuit . . .
Dennis Veite Dec 5, 2005, 3:26 PM PST
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