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Chip a Playstation, Go to Jail

Posted by chrisd on from the do-not-pass-go dept.

perogiex writes "A man in Ottawa was convicted of selling and installing mod chips out of his computer store. Sony is overjoyed, man is less than thrilled. This is the first time such a case was tried in Canada." From the article: Garby said he didn't know he was committing a crime and would have never gotten involved in selling mod chips if he had known the law. Update: 07/24 21:53 GMT by M : Headline corrected; it's clearly mod chips for the original Playstation, not the Playstation 2.

2 of 695 comments (clear)

  1. Re:uh by AJWM · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The article says "two counts of copyright infringement", which is pretty self-explanatory given the "413 pirated video games".

    Of more concern -- and perhaps why you're scratching your head -- is the "four counts of selling unauthorized computer equipment". What the hell does that mean?

    Who "authorizes" computer equipment? Do the charges stem from something like violating FCC-equivalent (DOC? CRTC?) RF regulations, or something equivalent to "possesion of burglary tools", or something more ominous, considering the free speech aspects of computers?

    Anyone know? ("Know", not speculate.)

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    -- Alastair
  2. Implications by brad3378 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    So what's the difference between modding a PS2 and modding a car?

    If I pulled the engine from my Ford Ranger and replaced it with a Chevy 350, aren't I likewise depriving Ford Motor Company of future engine part sales? This is setting a bad precident.

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