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UK man convicted for chipping Xbox consolesDela @ Jul 04, 2005 15:41 | 69 comments
Since October 2003, modifying your gaming consoles with chips that can be used to bypass copy protection mechanisms has been illegal. Modchips can be soldered (usually - but "no solder" options can also be available) to the main board of the gaming consoles and not only allow you to play copied games, but also allow you to play import games. The man was tracked down by an investigator working with the UK games industry trade body, the Entertainment & Leisure Software Publishers Association (Elspa).
He was selling his chipped consoles with the new hard drives containing 80 games for £380 (€561 - US$668). As well as his community service he must also pay £750 in costs. Thirty eight hard disk drives, three computers, two printers and his three Xbox consoles were seized by Police also. "It sends a clear message to anyone tempted to become involved in chipping consoles that this is a criminal offence and will be dealt with accordingly," said Mr Rawlinson, deputy director general of Elspa. "The modification of consoles is an activity that Elspa's anti-piracy team is prioritising. It is encouraging to see the UK courts do the same."
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A man in the UK has been convicted of chipping and selling Xbox consoles through his website. The 22 year old is the first man in the UK to be convicted for modifying games consoles. He also fitted the new consoles with a 200GB HDD containing 80 games. He was sentenced to 140 hours community service in Caerphilly Magistrates Court in Wales. "This case sets a major precedent which marks a milestone in the fight against piracy," said games industry spokesman Michael Rawlinson.
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Comment by: noshow (Jul 05, 2005 21:03) you know its weird HAHAHA i can get a console that lets me WATCH any satilite TV all channlels included for las the 350 us hwhahahahah what a choke |
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Comment by: ashroy01 (Jul 05, 2005 21:13) Quote: Isn't the 'pre-loaded with 80 games' thing a bit more serious |
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Comment by: joe7558 (Jul 06, 2005 06:29) This cuntry is so crappy the mothers agenst games bitch about a game were you kill a man with your hand but a game were you run around having sex their ok about what is going on im 16 and look like an 18 year old but each time i go into a shop to but a 16+ game thay always ask for ID but then there are 10 year olds buying fags this wourld is so scruwed up i say there sould be a law about shop keepers they sould atleast have the IQ of a squil |
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Comment by: gambiel7 (Jul 06, 2005 07:13) I don't think this guy stupid at all, they entrapped him, plain and simple. For you who say "I can get one for cheaper" are stupid, anyone who mods an Xbox is gonna take what they can get for it, the guy who set him up probably asked him to load the games for him and busted him for it. This could happen to anyone being set up by cops. I mean come on your modding Xbox and theres drug dealers in the street, who would you think to get busted first, sure enough the Xbox....besides regardless if you load games or not, they're still illegal. ONE question that always remains, Why in the F@#K did Microsoft build the F@#cking thing to be modded in the first place, Answer is: BIG MONEY......Microsoft is responsible, plain and simple and they have no right to F@#K someones life up over a piece of shit Xbox. Go to HELL MICROSOFT!!! |
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Comment by: jlo_jlo (Jul 06, 2005 07:16) it all comes down to dollars ms is no different from any other greedy company. they all want to make huge profits and stuff our mouths with s*%#. and we have to obey them. what we really need is a goverment that has balls to throw it back @ them. all about our own freedom. sure if sony can make a dvd burner. than why can't we be allowed to make a backup copy of anything the person owns if they don't want it copied than don't make the hardware. just my 2cents |
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Comment by: Valor7 (Jul 06, 2005 10:32) lol I dont think it's ever been said better jlo_jlo! |
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Comment by: runner121 (Jul 06, 2005 13:04) I agree with gambiel7,in that they should'nt ruin someones life over a game console.Its ridculous, and because of it I will make sure myself and no one I know keep an un-modded system again. |
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Comment by: Reasons? (Jul 06, 2005 13:16) How about a little balance.
Modding should not be illegal anywhere, I agree. But, preloading 80 $50 copyrighted video games is very deserving of punishment. That I can see. MS already loses money on the hardware, so they definitely need to sell the games.
Modding is good, and you should make your own back-ups. Pre-loading copyrighted material is punishable mostly because it takes one serious idiot. |
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Comment by: oracle (Jul 06, 2005 15:03) First of all copying games is definatly a crime. There is not any kind of discussion on this item. Second not permitted to change the configuration (modifying a device) is a crime also from the opposite side. When I'm buying an object and alter the configuration I break the guarranty and warranty policies as well, but the choose is mine. That's why I'm in favor of rejecting software patents in EU. Think that you cannot add a progress bar in your own application, since a major firm has already included this feature in her products! Soon we will going to starve... Third the people are so bored to check for alternative solutions and pay money for overpriced services. Fourth the guy was so dummy, publishing ilegal material. Fifth I'm thinking to leave my job on the field and return to my hometown in the high mountains to raise some goats in order to have my meat, my milk, my cheese and also collect herbs in order to minimize the possibility of dying from famine, since some guys are more equal than me in front the eyes of the law. Sixth can anyone tell me why Microsoft didn't sued Oracle yet for using progress bars un their installation programs? |
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Comment by: ToxicFish (Jul 06, 2005 15:59) Does anyone know the policy for selling chipped XBOXs on eBay? You can find them if you look hard enough. I don't think it's illegal to sell chipped ones, just as long as it doesn't come with any games.
There was this place in Iowa i think, that sell back-up copies of PS2 and XBOX games. I wonder why it's legal to do that and not to sell the console and games bundled. |
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Comment by: Reasons? (Jul 06, 2005 19:31) They must not have been caught yet is all. |
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Comment by: nohelpme (Jul 07, 2005 08:48) There even places locally that sell backed up games like right in a video game store. The way they claim to get around it is say you can only buy them if you already own the game. I don't think the local authorities are smart enough to figure it out lol |
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Comment by: Reasons? (Jul 07, 2005 14:10) Are you kidding? That's sick, which store? |
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Comment by: Wild9 (Jul 10, 2005 11:18) It's illegal to sell pirate games.
It's not illegal to use your own backups, or to chip X-box consoles.
I suggest the establishment start questioning the extortion taking place, between British high street stores and the close relationship they have with not only each other but also the games producers themselves.. |
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Comment by: nohelpme (Jul 10, 2005 11:28) Ya know what I find real funny.. i went to checkout isohunt.com they are a huge torrent site...they have an add for verizon dsl right on there! So come on now...lets stop the bs and stop suing people |
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Comment by: teddirez (Jul 10, 2005 18:24) He would've been alright if he wasn't sticking the games on the hard drive already, and just selling modded xboxes |
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Comment by: cass_71 (Jul 11, 2005 17:24) Just goes to show, ALWAYS pay CASH for something you don't want traced back to your door! And, if you are required to leave a name, leave the name of that annoying neighbour who's always calling the cops if you do something egregious like wash your car right on the street or some other (cop) time wasting thing. |
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Comment by: runner121 (Jul 12, 2005 10:09) I know half of you are probably Micro$oft goons anyways,but I believe I would have bought one of those systems without hesitation had I knew him. |
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Comment by: junebud (Aug 05, 2005 13:07) You guys have brought up some good points, but have also missed some. There have also been some mindless things brought up. Here's my 2 cents worth...
Modding is good. Illegal or not, it is good. There are many pros and cons to modding your console, but the choice is ultimately yours. Linux, DVD movies, homebrew software, and voided warranties are all examples of these.
Software piracy is wrong. Software piracy is wrong. Software piracy is wrong. Software piracy is wrong.
Everyone that we have heard about getting arrested for modding a console has been running a shop selling modded boxes with a hdd chock full of games. It is when you start getting into the piracy side of things that you draw attention to yourself and get arrested.
The guy was convicted and all he got was 140 hours of community service!!?? That is awesome!! They just slapped him on both hands and pantsed him in front of the court. There is no jail time here, no fines, just community service. AWESOME I tell you, AWESOME! |
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Comment by: rihgt682 (Aug 05, 2005 13:19) Ok 140 hours of community service is alot. But selling modxbox overprice to people that community service seems small. |
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Comment by: want2puck (Aug 05, 2005 14:11) Hey gambiel7
I sent you a PM, Check it out & get back with me
Thanks |
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Comment by: cbruce (Aug 29, 2005 14:41) Is it illegal to sell a softmodded console? hmmmm? I see a billion of em on ebay! |
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Comment by: ashap (Jan 27, 2006 07:00) fuk it, mod ur xbox's load them with thousands of games and flog em around the world |
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Comment by: ashap (Jan 27, 2006 07:02) fuk it, mod ur xbox's load them with thousands of games and flog em around the world! peace |
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Comment by: cass_71 (Jan 27, 2006 09:26) Said it before and I'll say it again (for newcomers & the highly perceptive), "If your going to have any "questionable" work done on anything you own, pay cash and leave your annoying neighbour's name if you must leave a name"! This applies to "mods" to your X Box or having your semi-auto AR 15 converted to a full-auto M 16! |
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