Mephisto says: 'Always read the small print'

It wasn't for nothing that Johann Wolfgang von Goethe studied law. In a most Faustian April Fool's prank, British online video-game retailer Gamestation altered the terms & conditions that buyers are supposed to read thoroughly before ticking the 'agree' box of the contract to make their purchase: Gamestation inserted the 'Immortal Soul clause', which read:

'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 gamesation.co.uk or one of its duly authorized minions.'

In addition, Gamestation made it clear that

'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.'

Not even the £5 that Gamestation offered customers if they checked the opt-out box enticed buyers to actually read what they legally bound themselves to. And thus, with a mere 12% opting out, Gamestation has found itself the proud owner of around 7,500 immortal souls, which, for the time being are still the property of the respective Gamestation buyers.

As Mephistopheles might have put it, 'Lesen Sie immer den Kleindruck, Herr Faust'.

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