Open-Source Xbox Modchips

DonatusIgnis writes "Our Australian company has decided to release the PCB designs for all of our Xbox modchips back to the modchip community. We are starting with our modified version of the CheapMod, and the Protel PCB files are already available on our website. Once we are sure that this is the right way to go, we'll also release the design for our multi-bios modchip in the next few weeks. Considering how much every modchip manufacturer owes to the Xbox pioneers who blazed the trail before us, it would be great to see more companies giving their work back to the general modchip community under an open-style license." See the Aussiechip homepage for FAQs and details - interesting stuff.

Comments

Re:How long will this last?

[NanoGator]

" Im guessing its only a matter of time before M$ notices and sets their lawyer bloodhounds to Ceace and Decist this information off the net. Get it while you can i guess, unless it becomes widely mirrored."

Until somebody comes up with a killer reason to mod the XBOX (i.e. a DivX player? I dunno, I think it'll need to be stronger than that...), there'll be little legal defense against MS's lawyers.

Simply put, the best defense they'll have is that they have legit reasons to use the XBOX in a less-than-originally0designed way. However, since this type of mod could potentially mean piracy of XBOX games, MS's argument will be that piracy's the motivation for this project. If there's not a strong rebuttal (like VCRs had about time-shifting...) then there's very weak legal ground to stop MS in its, that is assuming that the DMCA doesn't immediately obliterate its legality.

This whole business about hacking the XBOX to run Linux is irresponsible. I mean seriously, why doesn't the people running it just paint "SUE ME!" on their asses and moon Redmond?

My point isn't to poo poo the project, but rather encourage development of the 'killer app that really works best on the XBOX' before developing the crippling blow to their protection that'll unlease MS lawyers against them. There isn't a whole lot that's particularly special to the XBOX here. At least with the PS2, one could make the argument that the Emotion Engine is a unique chip to play with.