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Looking Closely at the Restrictions of Linux on the PS2

Posted by timothy on from the gpl-trumps-doesn't-it dept.

Hal-kun writes: "I wrote an interesting article about Sony's upcoming Linux distro for the PS2 and some intellectual property concerns I have with it. It's an intresting look at how Sony limits the ability to have full access to the system, yet being able to keep it under GPL."

1 of 211 comments (clear)

  1. Red rag to a bull by joebp · · Score: 4, Flamebait
    In order to get Linux running on your PS2, you must boot the system using the PS2 Linux DVD. During boot, after all the copy-protection stuff is taken care of, the system lays down the Runtime Environment. This is basically a layer that hides access to the SPU2 (Sound Processing Unit), the input/output processor, the hard drive, the CD/DVD-ROM system, the controllers, memory cards, USB, i.Link and other peripherals.
    I doubt it'll be long before there's a work-around. Placing such limitations on a piece of hardware or software never works.

    See: CSS, DVD regioning, Windows XP Product Activation, PS2 Copy Protection, eBook encryption, et al.

    When will big business learn? If something is secured in a paranoid way, it will be overcome to a degree. The prize is too big.