The Legal Facts:
Plaintiff: Craig Smallwood of Hawaii
Defendant: NCsoft of South Korea
Allegation: NCsoft knowingly created an addicting videogame ( Lineage 2) and put it on the market without any kind of warning to consumers. The Plaintiff then became addicted to said videogame due to his lack of knowledge of its addictive qualities. Claims he would have never played if he knew of risk. Legal claims against NCsoft include negligence, gross negligence, and negligent infliction of emotional distress.
Status: Judgment pending
Bloggers Bit:
Ok, we all understand that America has become a society, which strives on litigation. But really, they didn’t tell me that the game could be addicting so I didn’t know? I feel this is a weak argument but I have seen cases weaker than this change the life and world, as we know it. If this successfully goes through the legal system and the decision falls to thee Plaintiff, our children may grow up with video games that not only have a rating system but addiction warning labels. There were many other claims thrown at Croft not just the claims of negligence, gross negligence, and negligent infliction of emotional distress. The presiding judge threw out the other claims even before it went to trial. What else is there to try and use to legally prove the point that the video game made you addicted and it wasn’t your fault?
The main question this lawsuit places to me is when do Americans take responsibility for their own actions. When do they stop pushing the “buck” or their own issues onto other organizations, individuals or apparently items? I didn’t make myself fat the cheeseburger did it! I didn’t mean to get addicted to the game but the makers made it addicting! Where is the level of responsibility? If we totally negate this level and allow our poor actions to be blamed on the ignorance of all things then where does that leave us. I whole hearted understand that there are addictive items, behaviors and personalities in the world. And I understand addiction is a disease but anyone can become addicted to anything it is just how the individual handles it. I feel if Americans continue down this road, chocolate, facebook and malls will all have warning labels too. I just don’t see litigation like this leading anywhere good for the American people.
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Yeah I agree. You make a valid point. The problem with American society in general is that it is indeed slipping, and does need to start taking responsibility. With mentalities like this it's little wonder that China is working its way to the top. Well done.
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