[jingai]

If you live in the UK...

[Steve Bildermann]

You two should be more careful...If Ultra finds out you're discussing modchips there will be hell to pay...

Absolutely no 'warez' or otherwise illegal links or discussion will be permitted. This includes "theoretical" discussions and euphemistic references. A few of the prohibited topics include:

bootlegs or illegal downloads of commercial software, movies, music
making backups or copies of copyrighted material
filesharing copyrighted material
decrypting or bypassing copy-protection
modchips
roms

[Steve Bildermann]

I'm just lucky you aren't one of those kind of guys.

Indeed you are young man...

..anyway be more careful in future and we'll keep this infraction our little secret eh!

[wildstar]

i have to say this falls in a murky gray area. the topic of conversation appears to be limited to a recent court case and its outcome; the subject of which happens to be an impermissible topic on the forum.
taking the view that the subject matter of the court is a discussion of an unlawful act; i think it's safe to say that any post here making mention of the most recent building base jumper sans parachute, automobile cookout, throat slasher, upskirt photo shoot, sword-wielding yakuza could be grounds for action.

i won't say i think that the nature of the post makes the subject matter any less uneasy, but i will say i think responsible posters can keep an objective stance and while the rules keep the honest people honest, they also keep the less desirables away.

</$.02> i'm broke

wow, it took all i had to dance around the m word...

[Ol Dirty Gaijin]

i have to say this falls in a murky gray area. the topic of conversation appears to ...
i won't say i think that the nature of the post makes the subject matter any less uneasy, but i will say i think responsible posters ...

Did you notice who posted Wildstar?

[Caustic Saint]

Judge deems PS2 mod chips illegal in UK

But what about Xbox modchips?

[cstaylor]

Stupid Brits and their nanny-state laws. Glad I'm not a subject of the Queen's laws.

[Big Booger]

A blow to the game importer I am sure.. but what about the chipless modchips? Like The game shark type hardware?

[Steve Bildermann]

Stupid Brits and their nanny-state laws. Glad I'm not a subject of the Queen's laws.

We are all subject to Queen's laws

[Caustic Saint]

A blow to the game importer I am sure.. but what about the chipless modchips? Like The game shark type hardware?

A Game Shark won't bypass the region lockouts. (Unlike the Action Replay or Freeloader for the Gamecube, which has got to be the most import friendly console ever. At least as far as disc-based systems go.)

I wonder if they'll try to put PS2 Slide Cards under this ruling. It'd be tough, since there's no chip involved, but it does provide the same benefits as modding. Even more, actually, since there's no voiding of your warranty.

[amdg]

I wonder if they'll try to put PS2 Slide Cards under this ruling. It'd be tough, since there's no chip involved, but it does provide the same benefits as modding.

Not tough at all, since the European Union Copyright Directive (as implemented by SI 1992 No.3233) doesn't proscribe 'chips' per se, but circumvention devices, which clearly would cover slide cards as well as a slew of other devices.

(c) any act of putting into circulation, or the possession for commercial purposes of, any means the sole intended purpose of which is to facilitate the unauthorized removal or circumvention of any technical device which may have been applied to protect a computer program. [Council Directive 91/250/EEC of 14 May 1991]

[cstaylor]

Glad I don't live in the EU. I love my ... makes the XBox useful for watching movies and listening to music.

[cstaylor]

I love my ... makes the XBox useful for watching movies and listening to music. ]

Steve, I think a moderator position may have just opened up...

Oh please, I don't even play games (except for GTA and CT on my PC, so if you keep it on the QT, I'll mind my P's and Q's to avoid moderator KP).

[Steve Bildermann]

I love my ... makes the XBox useful for watching movies and listening to music. ]

Steve, I think a moderator position may have just opened up...

I believe you made this...

[cstaylor]

That's true.

[Big Booger]

honestly, this is the main reason I'll never buy another console game. You have to buy two machines to play games from other parts of the world. I'll stick with my good ol' PC, and just wait for the great games to get ported.

[Caustic Saint]

honestly, this is the main reason I'll never buy another console game. You have to buy two machines to play games from other parts of the world.

You may need more than two if you want games that only come out in Europe or Australia.

Thankfully Nintendo's never done territorial lockouts on their handhelds. (And their cartridge-based systems only need a simple adapter.) I hope they keep this trend up with the DS, but I expect Sony to totally regionalize the PSP.

[devicenull]

because modifying your own hardware that you bought legally is illegal... wtf?

[amdg]

because modifying your own hardware that you bought legally is illegal... wtf?

Nope. You can mod your own hardware however you like (with the caveat that you'll void your waranty). Just like you can mod your own car however you like, within the law of the land. Want to install an aftermarket muffler? - no problem! so long as it passes emissions regulations. Want to install a chip on your PS2 that boosts performance, no problem! So long as it doesn't let you play pirated games.

For the record, I'm against anti-modchip legislation just like you, because in the final analysis, it is anti-software, anti-progress and it hurts the game industry more than it helps them by preventing people from buying products that aren't available in the place they dwell. So what to do? Buy mod chips in regions where they are still legal (google will help you, but for a start try Italy and Spain).

[wildstar]

Did you notice who posted Wildstar?

Yessir!
I posted Wildstar... :P
OK, actually, what i thought was funny is that nobody put me in a headlock because i threw out something that looked like i was questioning/challenging forum rules.
I'm no fire starter, but i know there are a few folks that enjoy getting the opportunity to put the hammer down. I'm not sure if i'm surprised or disappointed.

And yes, the 'one of those' statement gave me a bit of a chuckle.

[devicenull]

because modifying your own hardware that you bought legally is illegal... wtf?

Nope. You can mod your own hardware however you like (with the caveat that you'll void your waranty). Just like you can mod your own car however you like, within the law of the land. Want to install an aftermarket muffler? - no problem! so long as it passes emissions regulations. Want to install a chip on your PS2 that boosts performance, no problem! So long as it doesn't let you play pirated games.

For the record, I'm against anti-modchip legislation just like you, because in the final analysis, it is anti-software, anti-progress and it hurts the game industry more than it helps them by preventing people from buying products that aren't available in the place they dwell. So what to do? Buy mod chips in regions where they are still legal (google will help you, but for a start try Italy and Spain). Write letters to Sony. Help keep this industry alive.

its grey... the chip does nothing illegal, what you do after it is installed is your own prerogative.

[Faded]

There is actually a way around all of it that is a bit more legal (though expensive and customs may frown on it)
Since most Gamers have 2 systems anyway, your best bet would be to procure a Japanese Sony Playstation 2 and a US version of the Xbox. Through the web you can get games from those host countries, and there for get all the Japanese games when they come out for the PS and the X box games when they come out.

and as for DVD players, Region free ones are available (and in early PS's you could set the region yourself, though not good to continual play DVD's on them)

Tough things to do for most, but many of the members on this board would be able to swing it

[devicenull]

There is actually a way around all of it that is a bit more legal (though expensive and customs may frown on it)
Since most Gamers have 2 systems anyway, your best bet would be to procure a Japanese Sony Playstation 2 and a US version of the Xbox. Through the web you can get games from those host countries, and there for get all the Japanese games when they come out for the PS and the X box games when they come out.

and as for DVD players, Region free ones are available (and in early PS's you could set the region yourself, though not good to continual play DVD's on them)

Tough things to do for most, but many of the members on this board would be able to swing it

yea, i know what you are talking about.... my poor dvd player was so cheap that they couldnt even afford to region code it

[Faded]

Well you could always turn around and sell it for big bucks on an ebayish site (check Jlist for their current prices).

Would make you a hero amoung the otaku and ecchi.

though what kind of honor THAT is, I'm not sure

[amdg]

its grey... the chip does nothing illegal

True, although manufacture or distribution of a chip is still illegal.

[Faded]

Actually in the US, the chips are not technically illegal.
Due to the Sony Betamax decision of many a year ago

"technology that can have a legal use cannot be determined illegal, despite if the fact that the enduser may use it for illegal means."

the whole reason we are all allowed VCRs, CD-R drives, etc.

[amdg]

[Faded]

True true true nothing beats the almight DMCA. Including the "Fair Use Act".

3-2-1 Studios tried with the "betamax" decision to protect their DVD Copy X, but it utterly failed in the end. Shame, it was actually a good burning program, even with out the the Copywrite breaker.

But again, DMCA is for tech that is "specifically" for breaking protections. Depending on what the chip is, it could be legal.
That little tidbit is why we can all still buy Sharpie Markers, since you can use them to break certain Audio protections.

[amdg]

since you can use them to break certain Audio protections.

Not that we'd encourage anyone to be doing that, and depriving those poor publishing companies of making a living.

[Faded]

You worded that one right. the "publishing companys" making a living.
The Artist really has nothing to do with it.