AT&T Arbitration Clause Ruled Unconscionable

Tech.Luver writes to tell us the Consumerist is reporting that a small clause in AT&T contracts has been ruled "unconscionable" by the 9th circuit court of appeals. The clause in question stated that if you use AT&T service you surrender your right to class action lawsuits and instead have to participate in mandatory binding arbitration.

hooray!

[Anonymous Coward]

this is an important victory for my rights online!!!

Re:Article or link?

[Constantine XVI]

It's actually Sunday.

Must be really bad...

[professorfalcon]

has been ruled "unconscionable" by the 9th circuit court of appeals

Is that like double unconstitutional?

Re:Article or link?

[xouumalperxe]

Neither. Slashdot has just passed the denial stage regarding its readers ever reading TFA.

Re:Article or link?

[Anonymous Coward]

Wait a second. Are you saying that the editors actually did something?

Re:hooray!

[AchiIIe]

Actually, your right online `on second life` had a similar ruling

  Second Life Arbitration Clause Unenforceable
> http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/06/08/ 2017257 [slashdot.org]

I see a trend here. On the other hand, if those contracts were permitted then I'd be having my own that read as follows:

Legal Notice: BY ACCEPTING THIS BRICK THROUGH YOUR WINDOW, YOU ACCEPT IT AS IS AND AGREE TO THE DISCLAIMER OF ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, AS WELL AS DISCLAIMERS OF ALL LIABILITY, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL, THAT MAY ARISE FROM THE INSTALLATION OF THIS BRICK INTO YOUR BUILDING.

Re:Article or link?

[Aladrin]

Yes, but they didn't do it right, so all is normal. Don't panic.

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:all fine print

[grassy_knoll]

we should just eliminate the entire legal system and let people work everything out mano y mano.

So, if you have a dispute with Microsoft, it's chairs at twenty paces?

[shudder]

Re:hooray!

[GuyverDH]

You mean you haven't posted your own SPLA on the side of your computer?

SPLA = Software Provider License Agreement

By allowing your software to be installed, read or used in any way, shape or form on this computer, you agree to the following terms:

Installation of your software does not constitute a transfer of ownership in any part of the machine it is being installed on.

You are granting an unlimited usage license, which allows for the media to be read, decrypted, archived or any personal use the machine's owner deems necessary.

This right does not extend to distribution of copies of said media or content to other people.

Your software is being installed for a specific reason, you are warranting this software for that reason. You will be held accountable legally and financially for any errors or omissions.

Your software cannot originate contact with any place, computer or person, without written consent of the machine's owner. Your software cannot install any additional software without written consent of the machine's owner. Your software cannot limit any usage, function or communication by the machine's owner.

Any breech of these terms by your software will result in a minimum fine of at least 100 times the cost of your software, or the 100 times the fiscal cost of the damage caused by your software, if your software had any form of cost, fees, dues, etc.. associated with it.