AT&T long tried to use fine print to try and ban their customers from suing them via class action, instead forcing users into binding arbitration where corporations win more often than not. Despite the fact that many lower courts declared such activity violated user rights and was "unconscionable," the Supreme Court earlier this year ruled in AT&T's favor, opening the flood gates for every corporation to include this language in their TOS. Sony added such a provision recently, as did video game powerhouse Electronic Arts.

Broadband Reports has confirmed with Cablevision that their new TOS also includes this language. The cookie cutter language used by each company prohibits users from having a jury trial or participating in a class action lawsuit against a company.

While class actions certainly are a boon to attorney wallets, they've also benefited consumers in the telecom space quite often by forcing changes to company behavior, such as requiring companies pro-rate ETFs or stopping them from covertly extending long-term contracts with every plan change.

Users in our Cablevision forum alerted us to the fact that the company is informing users of the changes with their monthly bills. We've confirmed with Cablevision that the bill notification process started this month, and that the company's policies (found here) will be updated online later this week. On the positive side, users have thirty days to opt out of this arbitration clause with a simple e-mail to NOARBITRATION@CABLEVISION.COM.

"The good news is I still have my right to cancel service at any time," opines one forum user. "They didn't take that away." While true, limited competition -- and the fact that every ISP will include this language soon -- makes that a bit of a moot point. Letting these companies know you're paying attention by opting out of these agreements makes better sense if you have few broadband alternatives.