Sony Crushes UK PS2 Mod Chip Developers

SukebePanda! writes "UK mod chip developer Channel Techonology finally had their day in court with Sony, and lost big time. This judgement could have far reaching implications, with the judge implying that even playing original imports was illegal. This also wipes out any chances of seeing home brewed software on the Playstation 2 anytime soon, as well. "

Comments

Hmmm

[ZaMoose]

Why can't I legally play an imported PS2 game (which I probably paid a goodly premium for) on a modded PS2? I've voided my warranty if I mod the PS2, Sony still gets their money from the original software sale, the reseller gets their money from the sale to me, and I get to try to decipher the hirigana and kanjii in a vain attempt to understand just what the heck it is I've bought. Seems like everyone gets what they want in this circumstance.

Now, modding my PS2 to play CD-R games is a bit of a different matter. Most of the games are coming out on DVDs these days, anyways, so I don't know how big of an impact this would have.

UK courts foul up again

[Lewisham]

It's a typical judgement for the UK courts to rule to the absolute letter in cases such as this. Problem is, the judges don't appear to have a firm grasp of the implications caused by these rulings. Most law has always been one step behind technology, but the problem we have now is that tech is a truly global market.

Marketing suits have been trying for years to stifle shopping internationally, in case people begin to realise that their countries are being screwed in comparison to others. This case affects games importing (because we aren't allowed to buy what we want say the suits) but DVDs as well (because it would absolutely *crush* the movie sector, say the suits) and anything else the marketing guys want to stifle. It's not like dealing contraband, it's off-the-shelf products.

My worry is that this trend will continue, even though it, in some cases, directly contravenes law. Here in the UK, our car prices are drastically higher than on the continent, and certain car manufacturers make it very difficult to buy your car abroad. This is despite the face the EU trade laws explicitely say otherwise. If companies are flauting the *law*, how exactly can we stop them?

Re:UK courts foul up again

[Nemesys]

This is an outrageous misrepresentation of
Mr Justice Jacobs.

I was present in the courtroom (I'm the Martin
mentioned on Channel's website), and the judge
was extremely skeptical of Sony's claims,
as he knew that the technology could be used
to prevent fair uses and the development of
PS2 games by people who couldn't licence Sony's
system.

The judge had a perfect grasp of the implications
of the rulings, and made sure that Sony couldn't
stifle people from talking about the case or
about the chip, and prevented Sony from getting
the bank details of the people who had ordered
the chip.

Do you expect the judge not to apply
the law?

I don't get this...

[Em Emalb]

from the website: 'Judge Jacob stated that Sony licensed games for the territory that they were issued, the licensing of these games did not allow for their use in other territories, therefore whether they were imported for private and domestic use by personal purchase for instance via the internet, or purchased abroad on holiday, they were not allowed by Sony to be played outside of the licensed territory, this argument should be upheld.' Ok, so now I am not allowed to leave where I live and play my games where I travel to? I don't understand this. Maybe I am just being dense, but could someone please show me where it says you aren't allowed to move somewhere and play your game? Also, how big are these territories he's talking about? Anyone? Bueler?

Re:Sony of Japan vs. Sony of America

[Dragoness Eclectic]

Sony of Japan Inc does. Sony of America Inc doesn't.

So? It's NOT the business of the government or of me to guarantee any particular business a profit, or indeed that it stay in business. The producer of the original game gets the money from the sale of their product.

Just because Sony of America would rather you give your money to them rather than to Sony of Japan rates a big "Waah-fucking-Waaah!" in my book.

I am so sick of these dipshit corporations and anti-competitive trusts like the RIAA and MPAA who have so *little* confidence in their own products that they twist the legal system to try and force consumers to pay them "entertainment taxes". What they are doing is screaming at the top of their lungs via their actions that "OUR PRODUCTS REALLY SUCK AND WE KNOW YOU WOULDN'T BUY THEM OF YOUR OWN FREE WILL BECAUSE THEY ARE SO BAD!"

Why else are they so afraid of honest competition?

what about PS1?

[ilsie]

This also wipes out any chances of seeing home brewed software on the Playstation 2 anytime soon, as well.

PS1 has the largest installed userbase of any console in the world, besides game boy.

Mod chips for the PS1 cost almost nothing, are widely available, and are installed in many units.

The Yaroze was released in the US by Sony- essentially a PS1SDK.

There are countless emulators for the PS1, allowing you to play burned and/or copied software on your computer

Despite all this, I don't think I've ever seen a homebrew PS1 game, ever. Has anyone else?