Newsgroup: it.comp.console.playstation
Titolo: Chipping of Playstations Legal Yes/No Sony say Not

Hi everyone I have just received a nice polite letter from Sony
Computer Entertainments Legal department stating that the
"Chipping/sale of/Advertising of Mod-Chips is an Infrigement of
"Section 269 Copyright, Design and Patents act 1988" and it is an
offence to Convert any Playstation.
So how can publications like "Playstation Power" and others run
articals on "How to convert your Playstation" using a Mod-Chip. and
also accept adverts from people selling them.
Does anyone know different ????
Email: 
dar...@ndirect.co.uk

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Answer: it isn't prosecuted. The minute a magazine gets a
cease-and-desist letter all the questionable material will be outta
there. Think of pot-smoking groups. It ain't legal but... well, you
get the picture.
I sent Sony an e-mail on this very question. (Don't worry I didn't
drop your name.) I won't be surprised if I get an e-mail telling me
how horribly horribly illegal mod chips are. Sadly, I don't remember
signing a license agreement for what I am to do with MY PROPERTY.
Copying games is one thing. Overcoming territorial restrictions is
another. 
... Of course, I guess the same argument could be used for
submachinegun full-auto conversion kits, but then, that would be
ludicrous, wouldn't it?
---
When you can't have the best, settle for less.
"St. Ford of Mediocrity"

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  And don't forget this is probably Sony's opinion that it isn't
legal.  That may be their interpretation but unless it's taken to
court and there's a legal ruling it's only an opinion.
  Something to ponder is page 24 of The Heart of Darkness manual.  It
states that it is OK to make one backup copy of the game for archival
purposes.  What's the point in making this backup if the machine isn't
modded to play it?
  BTW it says BACKUP which is different from making a pirated copy.
Rick


Ah, I knew your posting had to be here somewhere...


Email: 
dar...@ndirect.co.uk
I think this is Sony propoganda.  I wouldn't know how to look this up,
but surely once you pay money for the machine it's yours and you can do
what you like to it...
-- 
Michael Bungey
To avoid follow ups finishing up in a tin of spam please address replies to 
michael.bungey@ rather than spam@
ICQ no 16788727

 what you like to it...
It's not that it's illegal to modify your playstation, because you can
solder wires to the motherboard to get better s-video out to your hearts
content and break no laws. The problem is, once again, the boot code.
It is illegal to posess the intellectual property of the boot code that
is in your mod-chip. A blank programmable chip is not illegal; a programmed
mod-chip is because you are not licensed to posess a copy of the code
contained in it.
-- 
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|     Rhett Stroh                    "Fight, Win, Prevail!"    |
|  
rh...@inetworld.net
                                         |
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 contained in it.
I feel you may well be confusing the code that is programmed into the ModChip
with the code that is programmed into the PSX.
The code in the ModChip is public domain, and is in no way an infringment of
Sony's IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) as it in now way attempts to emulate
the manner in which the code in the PSX ROM's work.
As I understand the law in the UK, modifying your PSX does not break any laws,
but owning a copy of a PSX game that you do not have an orignal of does break
the law. I believe there is more info in the charter and FAQ for
uk.games.video.playstation
regards,
SW.
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