Student Faces Jail Sentence for Games Console Piracy
Remember the days of ‘chipped’ Playstations that could play imported and pirated games? No? Can you not recall those do-it-yourself kits you could buy on the internet, or those companies that once offered professional services in that vein?
Well, one student from California it seems has been suffering from such nostalgia. 27 year old Matthew Crippen was arrested on federal charges for illegally modifying consoles - allegedly the Xbox, PS3 and Wii, to support the playback of pirated titles.
Crippen’s home was searched by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents back in May after a tip from the Entertainment Software Association. The student’s violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act means he could face a 10 year sentence should he be convicted. He is scheduled to appear in court today.
So, if any of you have thought about dabbling in the world of copyright breach, consider the following question: where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?
Search
Recent comments
- i THINK I AM COOL
2 hours 39 min ago - SmyD
2 hours 43 min ago - Loved ZappZ
2 hours 44 min ago - you guys are retarded
2 hours 46 min ago - U GAY FGET CANT
3 hours 2 min ago - Chaos theory ps3 MULTIPLAYER
3 hours 59 min ago - hey can somebody make a
7 hours 3 min ago - haha
8 hours 2 min ago - Exactly. I can't imagine they
9 hours 55 min ago - EUdude
17 hours 21 min ago
Comments
Whilst I agree that the asking price can never justify theft, the Ferarri example is either intentionally obtuse or merely completely illogical - digital theft and physical theft are handled in very different ways by the law, I run an online business which sells both digital and physical products, so I know what i'm talking about.
In my example I mentioned it from the point of view of a buyer of copies, not a downloader - two very different things, one is illegal, one isnt.
"While it is not an offence to buy pirated DVDs, the production, distribution and sale of pirated DVDs is a criminal offence"
Am i saying go buy dodgy DVDs/Games? No, and be it upon your own conscience if you do so. But your conscience is no doubt eased when a company takes advantage by stretching demand elasticity to cynical lengths.
$150 for MW2 is extortionate. Might we suggest a relocation?
In all seriousness though, that amount of money for a title is atrocious. I dare say that, should all new games increase in RRP, the games industry will suffer terribly as a result.
Granted, developers and publishers need to make money, and production costs for next-gen titles are at an all time high. But, if consumers become disuaded by ridiculous price schemes, sales will be worse than they might be at present.
Dear Friends,
I have just read and signed the online petition:
"Modern Warfare 2 "
hosted on the web by PetitionOnline.com, the free online petition
service, at:
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/cod6/
I personally agree with what this petition says, and I think you might
agree, too. If you can spare a moment, please take a look, and consider
signing yourself.
Best wishes,
Ghost
I live in NZ, the price of a typical new release (ps3) - 90-110$, price of MW2 - 150$
and they wonder why people try pirate.
Yeah well when publishers like "Ativision" doesn't listen to gamers and not only keep jacking up the price for there games, but make them shorter somethings got to happen. If people have to pirate every game to get there attention well then that's what needs to happen.
The price of MW2 is ridiculous and if prices continue to rise for other games, there will be more piracy where it is possible (ie, not on the PS3), but it still doesn't justify the piracy, regardless of whether it's a multiplatform title and you're buying the superior version as an illegal copy - you could still buy an original and get superior quality without breaking the law.
You can not justify it, regardless of how much people try. You can't afford the games so you download them instead? Senseless - if you can't afford a Ferrari do you steal those too? How about your 360 itself, did you steal that?
I very much doubt it was a PS3 - unless he know's something the rest of the pirating community doesnt!
I dont know why these chippers/rippers guys do it - the risk versus the reward is insane. I completely understand why people buy copied games, for starters I'm not sure it's actually illegal, in the UK anyway, to buy, only to distribute - I'm not saying it's right, and it no doubt damages the industry - but when publishers are pushing the rrp up to £50+ (COD:MW2) in a truly cynical move to capitulate on then you can see why a kid would go for the £5 dodgy copy.
In my opinion, and experience - the only thing that truly stops piracy is the
a) added value of genuine content - on the 360 at least, DLC and other online components, combined with Microsoft's brutal (though reportedly unfair) account banning help keep piracy down. Also, there needs to be improvements across the platfroms - many cross-platform games are inferior on the PS3 - dont start flaming we all know its a fact, so why (aside from morality) would someone buy an inferior £40 PS3 version if they can get a superior pirated £5 360 version? Also, I personally am a sucker for special editions...http://www.play.com/Games/PlayStation3/4-/9663559/Batman-Arkham-Asylum-Collector-Edition/Product.html
b) frequently upgraded firmware and clever anti-piracy architecture - a la the PS3. Another example of this is the PSP - the contant battle between the firmware builders and the pirates is fascinating - to the point where the newest PSP (not the GO) is apparently a very difficult nut to crack. ( I may be wrong here..i'm a bit out of touch on recent developments on the PSP piracy front)
My point being - those involved in distribution of illegal software and hardware are crazy; due to the insanely unbalanced punishments and low prices they need to charge to become competitive; but those involved in the purchase of such goods are becoming steadily more justified and publishers need to counteract that - by not hiking prices, and by adding value to the initial package, or after the sale has been made.
Post new comment