Sony vs Modchips

Cryptnotic writes "Sony has decided to instigate legal action against companies distributing two new Playstation 2 modchips, the Messiah and the NEO4. Sony has previously ignored modchip makers who made products which were only capable of playing CD-R copies of games. These new modchips, however, have legitimate uses, such as playing original import games or out-of-region DVD's. Aparrantly this is what has angered Sony." If I could read Kanji I'd probably care a bit more ;)

Comments

The solution is obvious

[mosch]

The solution is obvious, boycott the Sony Playstation 2 until they change their attitude. After all, there are alternatives.

Re:The solution is obvious

[Evro]

I encourage everyone to pay $300 for a DVD player with no remote control! The cure to all our ills.

Re:Legitimate Uses?

[cpt kangarooski]

Bzzt. There's no law that prevents you from importing software that is otherwise legal. You're not violating copyright by, for example, going to the UK, buying a book only printed in the UK, and bringing it back.

Hell, even if they are subject to licenses, which is certainly fairly doubtful, the validity of the licenses themselves are in doubt, as well as their applicability to a situation such as importing.

Re:Screw you Sony!

[Bi()hazard]

Exactly, if Sony doesn't want us to play with the PS2 hardware, they should license it instead of selling it, thereby making any hardware modifications, or even opening the case, a felony.

Furthermore, if they were smart, they'd put in a cd key system where keys are assigned at the store based on your PS2's serial number. The store would ask Sony for the dynamically generated keys. Too bad it's not common to hook PS2's up to the internet; if it was the PS2 could warn Sony about invalid keys or suspicious changes in the hardware, and they could forward you to the police.

They could also put in physical barriers, such as a self destruct mechanism that is triggered whenever the case is opened.

DMCA Outlaws Soldering

[t_allardyce]

The US government has today outlawed soldering irons, stating that they violate the DMCA in that they allow youngsters to MOD playstations and other games consoles. Civil liberties groups are outraged by the ruling and the American Soldering Association has said they will take this to the high court. Other groups have suggested alternatives, such as allowing soldering irons, but banning solder or visa-versa.