Playstation mod chips legal, says Australian High Court
Following a four-year legal battle between Sony and Sydney businessman Eddy Stevens, the Australian High Court has ruled that the widespread practice of “modding” Playstation consoles does not breach copyright laws and is therefore legal.
The High Court’s decision specified, however, that mod-chipping Playstation consoles to play pirated games was still a breach of copyright law, and thus a prosecutable offence.
The ruling will allow mod-chipping of consoles in order bypass region codes, allowing Australian gamers to purchase games from overseas, perhaps at reduced prices, and play them on their Australian Playstation consoles.
It remains to be seen whether other countries will follow Australia’s example and pass similar legislation.
October 11, 2005 @ 2:49 am
Sammo Said,
I seriously doubt that other countries will pass similar legislation. I also doubt that this ruling will stay forever, Sony’s probably already launche [...] more
October 21, 2005 @ 9:26 pm
sam Said,
Sammo, sorry but you are an idiot. have you ever wondered why emulators are not illegal? emulators are legal to download and have, they are hosted [...] more
November 12, 2005 @ 6:14 am
gokhan Said,
i think when ps3 comes out it will be expensive cause remember ps2 first coming out the price of games eg so on. and when is ps3 100% coming out 2006 [...] more
January 5, 2006 @ 8:29 am
The Zen Said,
that ruling can not be over turned as it is the highest court in australia’s legal system. and moding playstaion should be legal because it is unfair [...] more
August 10, 2006 @ 3:27 am
Celeste Said,
Does anybody know where i can get a chip for a ps2 in Cairns QLD?
January 18, 2009 @ 2:46 pm
nick Said,
Sony needs to stop being the little kid on the playground. If you have a bag of chips then somebody will ask for one. Sony is essentially trying to st [...] more