Student faces three years in prison for modifying Xbox 360

[Crass]

No that's exactly what's illegal under the DMCA. Don't get me wrong, I don't approve of the DMCA but it clearly states in Page 5, Section 103 (h

QUOTEIn the first case of its kind, a man from Southern California is set to go on trial Tuesday on criminal charges of circumventing digital rights management (DRM) by modifying Microsoft's Xbox 360 console.

It appears to be in violation of the DMCA, right, but no one has ever been charged for it before. Therefore the outcome of this trial will set the legal precedent for future cases involving Xbox modifications (and potentially other systems too). That is the whole point of this trial.

Its important to read up on the history of the DMCA, its a tricky situation but its important to understand if your passionate about technology and basic rights. I am not condoning piracy, but there is nothing wrong with modding systems morally and charging people for that. Its just like any other service. The fact that the Judge seems to agree that this is a load of BS, and the trial has been put on hold IS A GOOD THING! This is a win for modders.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Mille...ble_court_cases

/full disclosure: I mod peoples Xbox's and Wiis for money. I dont sell pirated games, and I don't charge people for homebrew software. I only charge them for the time and service.

 

[Ryupower]

he got lucky as the case was dismissed
http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/12/crippen-dismissed/

 

[Crass]

Awesome news! Not to put anyone down, but I hope this is a good lesson to all you kiddos.

 

[Knyaz Vladimir]

Yes. Make a contract before doing this, clearing your name in case of this error.

 

[purplesludge]

He deserved to get caught. Charging $60 to flash them and he was probably advertiser on Craigslist. I wonder if he is like the morons in my area who advertise flashing and include "backup" copies of the new games for $5-$10 each.

 

[Rydian]

I wonder if he is like the morons in my area who advertise flashing and include "backup" copies of the new games for $5-$10 each.

If you'd read the article you wouldn't be wondering since he wasn't.

Of course it's not like you were actually wondering, you were hoping he would be so you could attach a face and name to something you hate.

 

[purplesludge]

I wonder if he is like the morons in my area who advertise flashing and include "backup" copies of the new games for $5-$10 each.

If you'd read the article you wouldn't be wondering since he wasn't.

Of course it's not like you were actually wondering, you were hoping he would be so you could attach a face and name to something you hate.

Which article? I read this one http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/11/crippen/ and it didn't really mention how he was caught just that he had made a business out of modding them for $60-80.

 

[Rydian]

Which article? I read this one http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/11/crippen/ and it didn't really mention how he was caught just that he had made a business out of modding them for $60-80.

That's the point, if he was selling bootleg copies they could just get him for that straight-out, not have to take him to court and all this other nonsense.

 

[purplesludge]

Which article? I read this one http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/11/crippen/ and it didn't really mention how he was caught just that he had made a business out of modding them for $60-80.

That's the point, if he was selling bootleg copies they could just get him for that straight-out, not have to take him to court and all this other nonsense.

I assumed they were trying to make an example out of him by getting him with bigger charges.

 

[Rydian]

Which article? I read this one http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/11/crippen/ and it didn't really mention how he was caught just that he had made a business out of modding them for $60-80.

That's the point, if he was selling bootleg copies they could just get him for that straight-out, not have to take him to court and all this other nonsense.

I assumed they were trying to make an example out of him by getting him with bigger charges.

This entire thing costs a lot more time and money than a bootleg charge.

 

[MEGAMANTROTSKY]

Yet another sorry attempt by the electronics giants to wrest ownership and the purchasing power from the masses. Despicable. The defendant should be cleared immediately.

Edit: Oh, the case was dismissed. On the other hand, I doubt that this will be the last indictment we hear of.

 

[purechaos996]

This is for like dvd firmware or Jtag modding right? I have an xbox 260 case mod on craigslist for sale so thats the only reason I ask. I'm almost 100% sure case mods are legal tho I mean why not.

 

[VashTS]

the land of the free. gotta love the usa.

this country is done.

 

[keine]

The government had fought to keep the witness conduct a secret from the jury. WIRED.

Our tax dollars hard at work people. This is more illegal than ANY modded Xbox. Completely disgusting. Thanks to Sephxus for posting a more accurate account compliments of WIRED Magazine.This may possibly the biggest case to consider fair use we have seen yet in the United States. Not just Xbox. Think Apple iPhone. Think any EULA you've ever signed. Completely landmark.

 

[Warriorccc0]

Apparently the case got dismissed.

 

[notmeanymore]

Apparently the government isn't completely retarded.

Fixed. It's all for the best the case got dropped though.

 

[Crass]

Its great for the kid involved, but the fact that the prosecution realized the judge wasn't gonna play nicely with them, they decided to drop the case which means that a legal precedent wont be set that protects modders. So the future is still unclear.

 

[Warrior522]

Apparently the government isn't completely retarded.

Fixed. It's all for the best the case got dropped though.

Ahh, intelligence... Isn't it wonderful to see it in action?

 

[shakirmoledina]

you cant hope in something tht is against u... Edgeworth would explain tht to you

 

[playallday]

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