Square Enix Sued For $5 Million Over Final Fantasy XI

A San Francisco, Calif. resident filed a class action suit against Wash.-based Square Enix Inc. last week, accusing the company of deceptive advertising, unfair competition, and unjust enrichment related to the online game Final Fantasy XI. The suit, filed June 18 in the Central District of California U.S. District Court and uncovered by Courthouse News, is seeking $5 million in damages. "[Square Enix] engaged in various levels of deceptive advertising, unfair business practices, and fraudulent concealment with respect to the online games at the point of purchase," the suit said. The filing alleges the following against Square Enix: "This case narrowly focuses on Defandants deceptive advertising, unfair advertising, and fraudulent concealment to conceal certain critical information about their online games. The deceptive advertising, unfair and undisclosed business practices, and concealment concern, among others: 1. Licensing of the online games software disguised as a sale 2. Monthly fees ("fees") to play online games 3. Penalties for late payment fees 4. Interest charges for late payment fees 5. Charges while the online game account is suspended 6. Termination of the right to use the online game for late payment of the fees 7. User restrictions and conditions related to the online games 8. Termination of game data for late payment of the fees The filing estimated that the number of people to take part in the class action "will number greater than 100,000", based on the "Defendant's online game database." The suit added, "Through false advertising, unfair and undisclosed business practices, and fraudulent concealment in connection with the advertising, marketing, promotion and sale of the online games, Defendants reaped benefits which resulted in their wrongful receipt of revenues." [UPDATE: Clarified paragraph before allegations.]