Sony changes warranty terms for PS4, PS3, PS VR, Vita to comply with FTC guidelines

Sony has updated the warranty terms for all the gaming hardware products it currently supports in the U.S. and Canada.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) gave Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony 30 days to change a particular warranty policy they've maintained for years.

That being the "warranty void if removed" label on all their products. According to the FTC, this violates the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which, among other things, gives consumers the right to use non-first-party parts in repairs.

In an update on Sony Interactive Entertainment's support site, the company revealed the changed language.

"Our previous warranties stated that the warranty does not apply if the product is used with a peripheral that is not supplied or licensed by SIE. Our updated warranties state that the warranty does not apply 'to damage caused by' use of the product with an unlicensed peripheral," reads the first change.

"Our previous warranties stated that the warranty does not apply if the warranty seal on the product has been altered or removed. Our updated warranty states that the warranty does not apply 'to damage caused by' opening the product or to damage caused by service performed by someone other than a representative of SIE or an SIE-authorized service provider," says the other big change.

Finally, Sony now has a clause that guarantees free return shipping for in-warranty consoles, as well as repaired and factory-recertified consoles in the U.S. and Canada.

"SIE long has provided this free, round-trip shipping, but its warranties didn’t specifically say so. Now they do," Sony said.

This applies to all products Sony supports, including PS4, PS3, PS Vita, and PS VR. The updated warranty also covers products bought before this change.