Lost Xbox 360 worth $1 million?

Just how much is a lost Xbox 360 really worth, a new lawsuit asks.

Lost Xbox 360 worth $1 million?

Frivolous lawsuit much?

Could it be $83,333 per week? $11,111 per day? $463 per hour? Make that $1 million total, or how much either an extraordinarily irate or incredibly enterprising Yale film major is suing US Airways for, after someone with the airline allegedly swiped or lost his Xbox 360 on or around December 17, 2008 during a flight from New Haven to Cincinnati. $1 million is the maximum amount allowable by law.

The Xbox 360 apparently had a "specialized hard drive," which the Yale student, Jesse Maiman, says, all told, cost him over $1,000. He's asking for $1,700 for system reimbursement, and according to the Cincinnati Enquirer, wants the airline to pay "for 'non-economic distress' of at least $25,000, but 'in the maximum amount allowable by law or, in the alternative, in the sum of $1,000,000'."

Now it's possible Jess Maiman's as mendacious as the story makes him sound, but my money's on his lawyer shooting the moon. I've heard the most intelligent-seeming people make torturous excuses for the most outrageous litigation on the basis of exploiting the byzantine monkey-works that comprises the US legal system. The ethical justification always comes down in the exact same place...a disingenuous "If you can, then of course you should."

To be fair, there's more than just static "hard value" involved here. While a brand new Xbox 360 retails for upwards of $300, the loss of downloadable content and in particular custom save data adds a "soft value" factor. Assuming the guy had an Xbox Live account, his Gamertag data, e.g. achievements and such, is probably safe. But with the loss of a hard drive, any music and video data's history, along with any progress-based game incidentals, from save points to all the little finder bits sprinkled through games like Resistance: Fall of Man and Gears of War 2.

Word to the wise: Never, and I repeat never check your video game systems. Ever. When I moved to the UK, I managed to stow my US Xbox 360, Xbox 360 debug, PS3, and Wii all in a single carry-on case (no mean feat, and that was flying fully-loaded in coach). As far as I'm concerned, you trust something to baggage handlers, you forfeit your right to ownership.

Even then, my wife and I took out travel insurance to cover the systems in the event of theft or general loss. And I took the time beforehand to back up all the volatile data to a separate hard drive which I left behind in a safe box, just in case.

If that seems paranoid, I'm pleading guilty.

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Comments [20]

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superstoned

its not so much the value of the 360 but what they did to steal it ... im assuming he checked his bags and they went through his bags and got his 360.... what very little privacy people have in the airport was token away.... he should sue for more.... get'em!!!

ZXDChang

It's a good thing u did that. Safety first. Add me on PSN nd GP. Thnx. C ya online

weinymew

I being a little bit vecicious but, Resistance is a Ps3 title......just sayin'. But yeah, i do the samething. But the baggage handlers dont go through your bags(i know), but if someone really wants something from you there going to get it

EBURKULOSIS

He can't leave town without his X-box?! Some might call that dedication, others would call it pathetic. Go ahead and blast me.

Kubrick

If he goes to Yale he should be able to afford having a 360 at both places of residence he is traveling between.

NightVision

I just traveled cross country via airplane and I took my Xbox with me in my carry on. I wouldn't trust anyone to hold onto that, it's best with me.
I wonder how this guys story will turn out.

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