Read the Fine Print

Upon signing up on a new website, how many times do you read the terms & conditions from beginning to end? Members of a UK game website called GameStation skimmed over the "immortal soul clause". This clause grant the company the right to claim their soul:

"By placing an order via this web site on the first day of the fourth month of the year 2010 Anno Domini, you agree to grant us a non transferable option to claim, for now and for ever more, your immortal soul. Should we wish to exercise this option, you agree to surrender your immortal soul and any claim you may have on it, within 5 (five) working days of receiving written notification from gamestation.co.uk or one of its duly authorized minions." It goes on to say "we reserve the right to serve such notice in 6 (six) foot high letters of fire, however we can accept no liability for any loss or damage caused by such an act. If you (a) do not believe you have an immortal soul, (b) have already given it to another party, or (c) do not wish to grant us such a license, please click the link below to nullify this sub-clause and proceed with your transaction."

The terms were revised as an April Fools gag, but also proved a point: no one reads the terms & conditions and companies can insert any time of language in to the documents. All shoppers were given the option to opt-out, but very few did. However, if you are one of those who skipped the legalese, don't worry. The company has no plans to enforce the clause and are planning to send emails to every shopper who signed the contract nullifying any claim on their immortal souls. I guess it teaches one to make sure you know what you're getting in to even online.

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