Sony 'Anti-Used Game' Patent Explored

Sometime in 2000, Sony patented a process that would 'verify a disc as legitimate, register the disc to that particular game console, then wipe out verification data so the disc would be rendered unreadable in other PlayStations'. Despite unrest in the gaming community over this technology, the company has repeatedly stated they have no plans to use it in the PS3. The LA Times explores this persistent debate, examining why Sony developed the tech and why gamers are nervous. From the article: "Whatever Sony's plans, the tempest [over the patent] illustrates the changing nature of ownership as millions of people accumulate vast collections of digital entertainment. Few people realize that when they buy software or music or movies, they are actually buying a license to use, watch or listen. That's why it violates copyright laws for people to sell copies of their music collection." Thanks to 1up.com for the link.

Comments

Blockbusted

[TheFlamingoKing]

Maybe because this completely kills the rental business? I for one haven't bought a game in a long time, but I have rented a few...

Re:Blockbusted

[Who235]

Amen to that.

I almost always rent a console game before I buy it because I don't have the kind of money it takes to buy a $70 POS that I'll hate after a week.

Games are way too expensive to allow those kind of restrictions on them.

I think a move like that will ensure that only big name titles get purchased and it will choke the life out of smaller games that nobody will want to pay for without the security of being able to sell them if they suck.

Re:Blockbusted

[qbzzt]

It won't kill the rental business. It will let game publishers sell two types of copies:

1. Single console copies for the home market.
2. Multiple console copies for the rental market.

#2 will cost more than #1, but not so much that Blockbuster will want to leave the video game rental business.

Re:Blockbusted

[Cadallin]

Alternatively, they might sell none at all, as all the customers go and buy hardware that doesn't implement such restrictions, and has a plentiful supply of less expensive titles. I can see why Publishers might THINK they want this, but unless it is implemented universally (and it can't be really, modded consoles would render this moot for everything except online games, and if you're going to mod your console, you might as well pirate the games) but in reality other companies would offer a more custumer friendly approach and reap the benefits in the market.

Of course, I hate Sony anyway, so I'm all in favor of them implementing this kind of scheme. Nintendo Wii FTW.

Re:Blockbusted

[Rob T Firefly]

1. Single console copies for the home market.
2. Multiple console copies for the rental market.

Wait until a formerly new title's hype has blown over and Lackluster Video wants to get rid of their 20 extra copies. Hello again, used market. Even better, hello used market for games with better functionality than new retail copies. Same goes for when someone eventually finds a way to pirate rented games. Hello, 0-day no-strings-attached ISO files that beat legit shelf copies in every way but the DVD sleeve.

Re:Blockbusted

[Korin43]

Your "Nintendo Wii FTW" comment made me realize that this is actually a good thing. Not because other consoles won't do this, but because other consoles CAN'T do this. Sony patented it, so only Sony can do this (for 10 years-ish, right?).

Re:Blockbusted

[sorak]

Alternatively, they might sell none at all, as all the customers go and buy hardware that doesn't implement such restrictions, and has a plentiful supply of less expensive titles. I can see why Publishers might THINK they want this, but unless it is implemented universally (and it can't be really, modded consoles would render this moot for everything except online games, and if you're going to mod your console, you might as well pirate the games) but in reality other companies would offer a more custumer friendly approach and reap the benefits in the market.

Of course, I hate Sony anyway, so I'm all in favor of them implementing this kind of scheme. Nintendo Wii FTW.

No disrespect intended, but Lassaiz-faire doesn't work. At least it doesn't work in the modern world. I'm sure that, at one time, people may have gone to a dishonest carpenter, felt cheated, told their friends, and eventually killed the carpenter's business based on poor word-of-mouth.

In today's entertainment market, however, that is not an option. If Rockstar game refuses to make "Grand-Theft-Auto: Branson, Missouri" on any system other than PS3, then people will buy a PS3, and they will gladly buy two copies so they can play it on the new PS3 they buy when their first PS3 spontaneously explodes, six months after being purchased (Tell me you don't know somebody who has had a defective PS2). Also, there is a good chance that Sony will work out some deal with Rockstar games, to assure that the game doesn't get released on any other system.

As for modding, most people won't do it because 1). The process often requires you to break open the system and solder in a chip, running the risk of turning a $350+ game system into a paperweight, and 2). The DMCA makes it illegal for stores or people with any kind of real skill to solder a chip in. The end result is that, if you want to pay $60 for a chip, and if you know someone you trust with your system, then you can get it modded, but most people aren't that "into" gaming.

The only thing that can kill a system or hardware is a lack of high quality games, and DMCA cripplling is like spanish fly to the people who make those games.

Re:Blockbusted

[Matilda the Hun]

Probably. Doesn't mean they care. There'll always be a market for overpriced, locked-down game systems in the Myspace generation. They don't pay attention to the technical aspects, they just drool over the new game system. And their technologically-impaired parents, not knowing any better, will buy them the system because they want it. Teh edn.

Re:Blockbusted

[ConceptJunkie]

Yeah, class action suits... wonderful.

Some lawyers walk off with a few million and everyone who bought a PS3 gets a check for $6.71... or worse, a coupon for $10 off their next PS3 game purchase.

That'll put Sony in their place.

Call for "zonked" flag

[SuperKendall]

Slow news week for consoles? WHy not dredge up an older anti-Sony story - no need to worry about it being killed already by Sony previously saying they wouldn't make use of this technique. Bring it up again so that people will THINK they will!

It's all about the FUD and this is the minimum weekly dose.

Doctrine of First Sale

[Sir Holo]

FTA: Few people realize that when they buy software or music or movies, they are actually buying a license to use, watch or listen. That's why it violates copyright laws for people to sell copies of their music collection."

No, no, no, how can the LA Times get something so basic so wrong?

Buyers of legal copies of copyrighted works are buying the physical copy, and have a right to sell that legal copy to someone else. A book, a CD, a DVD, an Excel CD. It is called The Doctrine of First Sale.

Sony would of course prefer that you didn't know this. But now you do.

This problem is already solved for me...

[merc]

I don't buy Sony products.

(Not flaimbait, I'm quite serious.)

What fucking license?

[trezor]

I repeat: What fucking license?

What papers did I recieve? What papers did I sign? Just where in this huge universe can I actually find this license you are talking about?

The answers are ofcourse: No, no, nowhere. So what license are you guys even talking about?

I buy it. The game is mine. Sure, the copyright ain't, but that's an entirely different matter. The game is mine, I own it. Stop perpetuating this goddamn bullshit. Stop being the entertainment industries bitches who are mindlessly brainwashing people who still know better.

I don't know how stuff works in the US, but here in Norway if I buy anything, it is mine. Anyone trying to pull any tricks on that, can be taken to court.

As it should be.

Repeat after me: There is no license.

This might be mod'ed down to GNAA levels. I don't care. I have plenty of karma.

Re:What fucking license?

[Mattintosh]

I believe I speak for everyone who isn't an industry shill when I say:

MOD PARENT WAY THE FUCK UP!

There is no license, not even a click-through EULA attached to this stuff. It's copyright-bound, yes, but not licensed. And I do know how stuff works in the US. I live in the US. This is the way it is. You are not licensing "content" from these companies. You are purchasing a shiny plastic disk with "content" on it, and you are given full property rights, but no copyrights. You can use, abuse, sell, cut, mark, bend, spindle, or mutilate that item however you want to, but you may not copy it with intent to distribute (sell or give, and no, "making sure someone doesn't steal the original" is not intent to distribute). You can copy it for your personal use and the use of those in your immediate social group (family, roommates, etc. - generally those living in your household at any given time).

The government would be wise to crack down on this sort of corporate abuse of general law. The Romans survived for 7 centuries, 5 of them in a fairly opressive but wealthy empire, and their main reason is that they knew not to fuck with "bread and circuses". As long as you keep people fed and entertained, they won't rise up and kick your ass. It's in the best interest of the American Empire to keep the circuses uninterrupted and relatively uncontrolled. Corporations will probably realize this fact about ten seconds too late, just as the government installs their organizational heads on a chopping block... or throws their suit-laced asses into an arena filled with lions. I'm betting on the lions - and I'll bet they're done before I finish this washtub of popcorn.