I would think it's a couple things...
First off - they may realize that the people actually playing here, have no other alternative in terms of a 'classic' server. 900 potential customers, in other words. When everquest next comes out, or whatever... they might pull in a lot.
If they were smart, Sony would advertise here. Honestly.
If they were even smarter, they'd license an EQ 'sandbox' - then allow licensed customers who build the servers to charge for use. Like a web host for instance - you pay M$ for SQL licenses, Server Licenses, etc - then sell your 'hosting' using their software. So Sony could sell/license the dev team here a 'sandbox' EQ development kit - the devs here could do what they want and charge a small fee. Sony could require a yearly license renewal, etc.
With that - the potential for some to 'mod' EQ - heavy customization - might end up being like CounterStrike and breathe life back into EQ. CouterStrike just shut down many FPS games - even newer ones, it was so crazy popular. Quake 2 was like that too - the mods just 'made the game'.
Plus, the lawyer's fees, time, and pissing off potential (or existing) customers may just not be worth it. What kind of 'damages' would the jury award?
I keep a Sony sub going - or well, it did lapse this month, but I might use one of my cards and re-activate Vanguard. I have a few station cards at home, because Sony's stupid payment system REFUSES to take my card, I called them and they couldn't help me. If it did - I'd have a station pass.
I'd like to see Sony use some of the damn good ideas they have in a good way - like the 'load other OS' on the playstations... why not release a 'custom' version of the PS3's as a full "Linux PC" and make some serious cash. They have immense processing power. I went out of my way to get one~~
http://www.computerworld.com/s/artic..._supercomputer