Yahoo Finance Sony Sued By Ex-Workers Over Hack Attack
Two former Sony Pictures employees have sued the Hollywood studio over the recent hacking attack that led to the release of internal documents.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Los Angeles, claims Sony (Swiss: SONC.SW - news) failed to protect employee data and secure its computer network.
Plaintiffs Michael Corona and Christina Mathis are seeking compensation for any damages, and credit monitor services, identity theft insurance and other assistance.
The class-action lawsuit is also open to any other former or current US Sony employees whose data was compromised.
"An epic nightmare, much better suited to a cinematic thriller than to real life, is unfolding in slow motion for Sony's current and former employees," the lawsuit said.
Sony did not respond to requests for comment.
The lawsuit claims Sony "knew or should have known that such a security breach was likely" given a 2011 hack of its PlayStation video game network, the lawsuit said.
Sony agreed to pay $15m (£9.5m) in the PlayStation case to settle suits that accused the company of leaving customer data vulnerable to hackers.
Unidentified hackers attacked Sony's computer network on 25 November and began releasing internal documents, which they claim were stolen.
Disclosures from company emails have caused turmoil at the studio and exposed discussions key to the company's future.
One of the most humiliating leaks was a series of emails between Sony Pictures co-chair Amy Pascal and top producer Scott Rudin in which they list films Barack Obama must like because they star African Americans .
Angelina Jolie, meanwhile, was called a "minimally talented spoiled brat" because of her demands during a remake of Cleopatra.
Among other embarrassing revelations has been that Oscar-winner Jennifer Lawrence was paid considerably less than her male American Hustle co-stars.
The hackers also released what producers confirmed was an early version of the script to the next James Bond film, Spectre .
Some have speculated that North Korea was behind the cyber-attack in retaliation for soon-to-be-released movie The Interview .
The comedy, starring Seth Rogen and James Franco, depicts an assassination attempt on the country's leader, Kim Jong-Un.
North Korea has denied involvement in the attack.
The lawsuit was announced as the hackers, who call themselves Guardians of Peace, said they had released more data and made threats against the premiere of The Interview.
