Proposed Settlement of Grand Theft Auto San Andreas Hot Coffee Lawsuit: Hot Coffee San Andreas Style Means Cash Back for Grand Theft Auto Buyers   3/13/2008 - 1,600 views, 2 Comments

Summary: If you purchased the game Grand Theft Auto SanAndreas, you may be entitled to a refund under the terms of the Grand Theft Auto San Andreas Hot Coffee settlement. Grand Theft Auto San Andres (GTA San Andreas) was shipped with explicit content which could be revealed by the third-party Hot Coffee mod. The GTA San Andreas Hot Coffee lawsuit was filed after children and others were unwittingly exposed to the Hot Coffee hack in San Andreas.

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If you purchased the game Grand Theft Auto San Andreas, you may be entitled to a refund under the terms of the Grand Theft Auto San Andreas Hot Coffee settlement. Grand Theft Auto San Andreas (GTA San Andreas) was shipped with explicit content which could be unlocked by the third-party Hot Coffee mod. The GTA San Andreas Hot Coffee lawsuit was filed after children and others were unwittingly exposed to the Hot Coffee hack in San Andreas.

The Grand Theft Auto hot coffee issue first came to public awareness as early as June of 2005, and the Hot Coffee GTA lawsuit was filed just weeks later.

That lawsuit became a class action, which is about to settle, and under the proposed terms of the settlement, people who purchased GTA San Andreas before July 20, 2005, are entitled to part of the settlement monies - anywhere between $5.00 and $35.00.

Here is the text (and a picture of) the legal notice - for details on how to colllect your Grand Theft Auto San Andreas Hot Coffee mod settlement, see down at the bottom.

Legal Notice

If You Purchased Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Before July 20, 2005 You May Be Eligible for Benefits From A Class Action Settlement

If you purchased the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (”GTA:SA”) before July 20. 2005, you may be part of a class action settlement.

This Nolice is just a summary. For more complete information. you should read !he full Notice. You can get a copy of the full Notice by calling the number or visiting the Web site below.

What is the Class Action lawsuit About?

The lawsuit claims that Defendants, Take-Two lnteractive Software. Inc. and its subsidiary Rockstar Games. Inc., manufactured and sold GTA:SA with hidden content that, if unlocked by the user, could display scenes of a sexual nature, which became known as the “Hot Coffee” scenes. The lawsuit claims the marketing of the game with this content under an improper rating violated Consumer Protection laws.

Who Is Included?

The Class includes everyone who bought GTA:SA before July 20, 2005. Resellers are not included in the Class.

What Are the Terms of the Settlement?

Class members who meet certain eligibility conditions may be able lo claim cash payments ranging from $5 to S35, and/or to exchange the game for a copy without the conlent at issue. For full details about the
qualifications to make a claim you should read the full Notice.

Who Represents Me?

The Court has appointed attorneys to represent the Class. You may hire your own attorney if you wish. However, you will be responsible for that attorney’s fees and expenses. Class Counsel will ask the Court
for an award of attorneys’ fees and reimbursement of expenses in the amount of $1,000,000. This amount includes approximately S955,000 in attorneys’ fees and approximately S45,OOO for reimbursement of expenses. Defendants have agreed to and will nol oppose this request. The Court may consider the request at the Final Approval Hearing on June 25, 2008 at 10:30 a.m.

What Are My Legal Rights?

• If you wish to stay in the Class, you do not bave to do anythlng. If you want to get a benefit you must file a claim as explained below. If the Court approve$ the Settlement, you will be bound by all the Court’s orders. This means you cannot sue the Defendants covered by the Settlement in the future.

• If you qualify, you must complete a claim form to receive any payment. Depending on the kind of proof of purchase you have, you may be eligible for different amounts of cash payments. You can get a Claim Form by calling the toll-free number or visiting the Web site below. Claim Forms must be postmarked no later than May 16. 2008.

• If you do not wish to be a member of the Class, you must submil a letter to the Settlement Administrator indicating that you do not want to be a member of the Class postmarked no later than April 25, 2008. If you requesl to be excluded from the Class you cannot make a claim for a cash payment under this Settlement.

• You can tell the Court if you do not like this Settlemenl or some part of it if you do not exclude yourself. To object or comment, you must send a letter to the Court postmarked no later than Aprll 25, 2008.

Will the Court Approve the Settlement?

The Court will hold a Formal Approval Hearing on June 25, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. to consider whether the Proposed Settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate and the motion for attorneys’ fees and expenses.

For a Notice of Proposed Class Action Settlement and a Claim Form

Call toll-free: 1-800-409-0328
or Visit: www.gtasettlement.com
Or Write: GTA:San Andreas 1st Edition Settlement Administrator,
c/o of Rust Consulting, P.O. Box 1912, Faribault, MN 55021-7167

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Read more:

»  Are You a Grand Theft Auto Widow? Tell Us Your Story!

»  The Coffee Patch: Grand Theft Auto’s Hot Coffee Decaffeinated

»  Law Suit Over Hot Coffee - Legal Storm Brewing for GTA:SA

»  Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas in Hot Water over Hot Coffee

For additional similar stories check out our archives on Gaming, Internet Law

 

2 Comments »

  1. When I first saw the article title, I thought the phrase “hot coffee lawsuit” was a cliche meaning a frivolous lawsuit. I didn’t realize the plugin was actually called “Hot Coffee” :)

    Comment by Bennett Haselton — 3/13/2008 @ 1:11 pm

  2. And as with so many other frivolous lawsuits, the only people that *actually* win from this lawsuit are the LAWYERS.

    And come on, does anyone *really* believe that the “hot coffee” scenes were worthy of this lawsuit?! There’s more nudity in public television adverts for bath gel (!) here in Portugal… and then there are the ubiquitous Brasilian soap operas ;-)

    Comment by John — 3/20/2008 @ 8:59 am

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