After the attack on the PlayStation Network (PSN) in 2011 that brought down the network for several weeks, the PSN and Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) have reached a settlement in Canada that will provide benefits to Canadian consumers who are eligible and file a valid claim. The settlement has a website that explains everything, as it's required that those affected be informed about the proposed settlement and their options.
The settlement is a result of the claim that Sony failed to safeguard the PSN properly against the possibility of attackers getting hold of accountholder information, and that the unavailability of the service was a legal injury to those accountholders. According to the website, the defendants (i.e. Sony) “deny all of Plaintiffs' claims and say that they did nothing wrong”.
After the settlement becomes final (which will be reported on the website), accountholders will have 60 days to mail in a claim for various settlement benefits. If the claim is valid, which benefits the accountholder gets will depend on what type of account they had during the attack and what type of claim they submit. Apparently, benefits include “cash payments, online game and service benefits, and reimbursements”. This applies to anyone who lives in Canada and had either a PSN account, a Qriocity account, or an SOE account “at any time prior to May 15, 2011”.
Check out question 11 on the Commonly Asked Questions section of the website to look at the various benefits in full. Do you qualify? Will you submit a claim?