Did You Hack Deus Ex: Human Revolution? Square Enix is Suing You for $5,000

[Shawn Zipay]

Square Enix has filed a lawsuit against the hackers who illegally distributed and leaked an early build of Deus Ex: Human Revolution to the general public. Patent Arcade has the full details of the suit including damages in "excess of $5,000" (USD).

Square Enix is claiming direct, contributory, and vicarious copyright infringement. It has also brought claims under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, citing a provision that allows for claims against unlawful access to information on a “protected computer” used in interstate or foreign commerce. Square Enix contends that its protected internet portal satisfies the description of “protected computer” found in the act. They cite damages in excess of $5000, and are seeking a permanent injunction of copying and republishing against defendants, as well as actual and statutory damages, and attorney’s fees and costs.

The content was accessed through unauthorized access to persons who logged in via Italian review magazine, GMC. The persons who accessed the build through GMC's account are unknown to GMC.

[Shawn Zipay]

I'm just sort of wondering why they chose such a low figure. $5,000? That's it?

[Stev0esque]

Re: Did You Hack Deus Ex: Human Revolution? Square Enix is Suing You for $5,000

Yeah, that was bewildering. Maybe they are trying to be realistic? (and still failing)

[Shawn Zipay]

Re: Did You Hack Deus Ex: Human Revolution? Square Enix is Suing You for $5,000

I said on GI.biz that maybe they just wanted to get enough to cover a nice meal for the DE:HR team for a lunch or something.

[Vreki]

Re: Did You Hack Deus Ex: Human Revolution? Square Enix is Suing You for $5,000

"in excess of $5000", e.g. at least $5000. I am guessing there is some kind of legal reason behind this.
Maybe there is a lower limit in the "Computer Fraud and Abuse Act"

ETA: I am a genius: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compute..._and_Abuse_Act

5.Knowingly causing the transmission of a program, information, code, or command that causes damage or intentionally accessing a computer without authorization, and as a result of such conduct, causes damage that results in: Loss to one or more persons during any one-year period aggregating at least $5,000 in value. The modification or impairment, or potential modification or impairment, of the medical examination, diagnosis, treatment, or care of one or more individuals.
Physical injury to any person.
A threat to public health or safety.
Damage affecting a government computer system