xboxscene.org forums

Author Topic: Xbox Modder Convicted In Uk  (Read 627 times)

LowProfileWurm

  • Archived User
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 895
Xbox Modder Convicted In Uk
« on: July 05, 2005, 10:14:00 AM »

QUOTE
A 22-year-old Cambridge graduate has become the first ever individual in the UK to be convicted for the illegal modification of video games consoles at Caerphilly Magistrates Court.

The offender had developed a new method of modifying MS Xbox consoles, discovered in October 2004 by ELSPA's Internet Investigator, who then informed Caerphilly County Borough Council Trading Standards and Gwent Constabulary. He sold the consoles, fitting them with a hard-drive of 200GB and 80 pre-installed games, via his website for £380. The retail cost of this package, if genuine and unmodified, would be an estimated £3,000 for each one. ELSPA gathered the forensic evidence against him which led to the court result.


Mike Rawlinson, deputy director general of ELSPA commented: "This case sets a major precedent which marks a milestone in the fight against piracy and in protecting the games industry's intellectual property. 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. 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."

The penalty imposed yesterday, comprising a 140-hour community service order to be carried out in the next 12 months, £750 costs and forfeiture of all equipment seized including three tower PCs, two printers, three Xbox consoles and 38 hard-drives, reflected the youth of the individual and the fact that this was his first offence.

The modification of consoles has been an illegal practice since October 2003. After intense lobbying by ELSPA, the Patent office laid the Statutory Instrument for the introduction of the Copyright Directive. This Act made the whole process of chipping consoles illegal, including selling and advertising chips as well as providing a service for chipping.

The chipping process leaves the consumer with no recourse under any guarantee from the manufacturer and can damage the console.


Don't worry, unless you sell pirated games or sell consoles with larger drives (specifically both at the same time) then you're not gonna get in trouble... yet.  I just thought it was worthwhile news.
Logged

twistedsymphony

  • Archived User
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 6955
Xbox Modder Convicted In Uk
« Reply #1 on: July 05, 2005, 10:22:00 AM »

yeah I always get nervous when I hear about some shop somewhere that got the smack down for selling modded consoles. But almost always there was heavy amounts of piracy involved.

This either means one or two things; either
A. Majority of people sell modded consoles with pirated software.
or
B. They only bring the hammer down on those who do.

Here's hoping it's the latter.
Logged

Xtrem

  • Archived User
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 764
Xbox Modder Convicted In Uk
« Reply #2 on: July 05, 2005, 10:42:00 AM »

TOPIC CLOSED : Not 360 Stuff And There's A Few Topics In The Other Sections About That.
Logged