After reading this article, do you think Blu-ray is a good choice...? I think so. - Blu-ray Forum

joeorc · 08-02-2007, 12:44 AM

Feds Raid Video Game 'Modders' in 16 States U.S. customs agents searched for hardware that allows pirated video games to play on the popular gaming consoles. Gregg Keizer, ComputerworldWednesday, August 01, 2007 3:00 PM PDT

U.S. customs agents raided 32 homes and businesses early Wednesday, searching for hardware that allows pirated video games to play on the popular PlayStation 2, Xbox and Wii consoles.

According to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, the search warrants were served in 16 states, including California, Illinois, New York and Texas, as agents looked for evidence of the importation, sale and distribution of the modification devices made overseas and smuggled into the country.

The so-called "mod chips" and "swap discs" targeted by the searches let gamers play pirated titles or counterfeit copies on Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 2, Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox and Xbox 360, and Nintendo Co.'s Wii video game machines.

"Illicit devices like the ones targeted today are created with one purpose in mind, subverting copyright protections," said Julie Myers, an assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, under which ICE operates. "These crimes cost legitimate businesses billions of dollars annually and facilitate multiple other layers of criminality, such as smuggling, software piracy and money laundering."

ICE did not release the names of those served with warrants, nor did it provide any details of the cases.

The devices and software -- sometimes used in combination -- violate the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998, said the agency. Estimates by the Entertainment Software Association have pegged losses due to counterfeit or pirated copies at around US$3 billion annually, slightly less than half the industry's almost $7 billion in U.S. revenues last year.

Not surprisingly, Microsoft, one of the vendors whose consoles have been targeted by "modders," approved of the action. "Microsoft applauds ICE for its effort to reduce piracy and protect the intellectual property of Microsoft and its industry partners," the company said in a statement. "This is an important step in the continuing fight against piracy and the threat it presents to the global economy and consumers throughout the world."

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,13...s/article.html

WickyWoo · 08-02-2007, 01:02 AM

With 360 having no worthwhile import scene, and PS3 now region free, there's absolutly no reason to mod anymore

And these people aren't selling the kits to play imports, they're selling for bootlegging specifically

Shu76 · 08-02-2007, 01:04 AM

I don't understand how they can say "Piracy cost the industry XXX billions" Do they actually think if there was no piracy,they would have made that "XXX billions they lost? I highly doubt it. Maybe if Hollywood would stop making crap,people would actually be willing to pay for it.

jorg · 08-02-2007, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

With 360 having no worthwhile import scene, and PS3 now region free, there's absolutly no reason to mod anymore

And these people aren't selling the kits to play imports, they're selling for bootlegging specifically

not just imports why woujld u pay 60 buck for that game when u could just donwload it and brun to 10$ bd disc

martinstraka8282 · 08-02-2007, 03:35 AM

It wasn't just a good choice... It was the only choice!

joeorc · 08-02-2007, 03:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martinstraka8282

It wasn't just a good choice... It was the only choice!

, you bet it was a good choice

Nismobeach · 08-02-2007, 04:12 AM

PS2 chubby + softmods = win.

IMO, my guess is that this was done at the request of Nintendo considering the fact that all of the launch Wiis are capable of playing backed up DVDs with a sub $40 modchip.

BTW, I would much rather see ICE bust LESS mod chip makers and MORE employers who hire illegals. I would argue that the latter is a more immediate threat than this "attack on the global economy". Newsflash, but China counterfeits more junk in a day than any of these people would have done in a lifetime.

dakota81 · 08-02-2007, 05:16 AM

I read this through twice and still don't see what it has to do with Blu-ray?

Behemoko · 08-02-2007, 05:37 AM

I definately think it was an AWESOME choice, I'm getting an HDTV today, and until now I wanted it, but as of today I will absolutely NEED it, I couldn't be happier with their choice. :-)

joeorc · 08-02-2007, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dakota81

I read this through twice and still don't see what it has to do with Blu-ray?

notice in that the playstation 3 was not listed for mods..because Blank blu-ray disc's are too expensive to realy copy, it would take too much time and by the time you are done you have spent MONY on the copy where it's almost and in some cases more expensive to copy. by useing blu-ray that slows down for the pirates to pirate. atleast for a good time for the future. namely GAMES.

Branden · 08-02-2007, 02:03 PM

kinda backwards thinking. doesn't make sense to ban something because it COULD be used for illegal purposes. the purpose of mod-chips is to allow you to play your backed up media, saved me from re-buying a couple games when a disc gets scratched. alot cheaper to recopy your original for $0.15 DVD-R than rebuy an original for $50.
thats like banning steak knives because a few people used them to stab people, then arresting the shopkeeper who sold the knife.

08-02-2007, 12:44 AM	#1
joeorc Power Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:GROVEPORT ,OHIO	After reading this article, do you think Blu-ray is a good choice...? I think so. Feds Raid Video Game 'Modders' in 16 States U.S. customs agents searched for hardware that allows pirated video games to play on the popular gaming consoles. Gregg Keizer, ComputerworldWednesday, August 01, 2007 3:00 PM PDT U.S. customs agents raided 32 homes and businesses early Wednesday, searching for hardware that allows pirated video games to play on the popular PlayStation 2, Xbox and Wii consoles. According to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, the search warrants were served in 16 states, including California, Illinois, New York and Texas, as agents looked for evidence of the importation, sale and distribution of the modification devices made overseas and smuggled into the country. The so-called "mod chips" and "swap discs" targeted by the searches let gamers play pirated titles or counterfeit copies on Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 2, Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox and Xbox 360, and Nintendo Co.'s Wii video game machines. "Illicit devices like the ones targeted today are created with one purpose in mind, subverting copyright protections," said Julie Myers, an assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, under which ICE operates. "These crimes cost legitimate businesses billions of dollars annually and facilitate multiple other layers of criminality, such as smuggling, software piracy and money laundering." ICE did not release the names of those served with warrants, nor did it provide any details of the cases. The devices and software -- sometimes used in combination -- violate the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998, said the agency. Estimates by the Entertainment Software Association have pegged losses due to counterfeit or pirated copies at around US$3 billion annually, slightly less than half the industry's almost $7 billion in U.S. revenues last year. Not surprisingly, Microsoft, one of the vendors whose consoles have been targeted by "modders," approved of the action. "Microsoft applauds ICE for its effort to reduce piracy and protect the intellectual property of Microsoft and its industry partners," the company said in a statement. "This is an important step in the continuing fight against piracy and the threat it presents to the global economy and consumers throughout the world." http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,13...s/article.html

08-02-2007, 04:12 AM	#7
Nismobeach Senior Member Member since:Dec 2006	PS2 chubby + softmods = win. IMO, my guess is that this was done at the request of Nintendo considering the fact that all of the launch Wiis are capable of playing backed up DVDs with a sub $40 modchip. BTW, I would much rather see ICE bust LESS mod chip makers and MORE employers who hire illegals. I would argue that the latter is a more immediate threat than this "attack on the global economy". Newsflash, but China counterfeits more junk in a day than any of these people would have done in a lifetime. Last edited by Nismobeach; 08-02-2007 at 04:22 AM.

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08-02-2007, 01:02 AM	#2
WickyWoo Blu-ray Champion Member since:May 2007 Trading Score:2	With 360 having no worthwhile import scene, and PS3 now region free, there's absolutly no reason to mod anymore And these people aren't selling the kits to play imports, they're selling for bootlegging specifically

08-02-2007, 01:04 AM	#3
Shu76 Active Member Member since:Feb 2007	I don't understand how they can say "Piracy cost the industry XXX billions" Do they actually think if there was no piracy,they would have made that "XXX billions they lost? I highly doubt it. Maybe if Hollywood would stop making crap,people would actually be willing to pay for it.

08-02-2007, 03:35 AM	#5
martinstraka8282 Expert Member Member since:Jul 2007 4K collection:401 Blu-ray collection:1466 DVD collection:1 Trading Score:1	It wasn't just a good choice... It was the only choice!

08-02-2007, 05:16 AM	#8
dakota81 Expert Member Member since:Apr 2007	I read this through twice and still don't see what it has to do with Blu-ray?

08-02-2007, 05:37 AM	#9
Behemoko Member Member since:Feb 2007	I definately think it was an AWESOME choice, I'm getting an HDTV today, and until now I wanted it, but as of today I will absolutely NEED it, I couldn't be happier with their choice. :-)

08-02-2007, 02:03 PM	#11
Branden Senior Member Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Calgary, Alberta 4K collection:28 Blu-ray collection:558	kinda backwards thinking. doesn't make sense to ban something because it COULD be used for illegal purposes. the purpose of mod-chips is to allow you to play your backed up media, saved me from re-buying a couple games when a disc gets scratched. alot cheaper to recopy your original for $0.15 DVD-R than rebuy an original for $50. thats like banning steak knives because a few people used them to stab people, then arresting the shopkeeper who sold the knife.

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