Hacking Is console hacking not illegal or what?

[Noctosphere]

Because so far, I haven't seen any news about console hacker developer being arrested
I'm not taling about end user like me, I'm talking about engineer who develop those hack/exploit

Is it like not legal, but not illegal as well?
Is it only what you do with those exploit that can be illegal?

 

[Kubas_inko]

It is not against the law, but against console manufacturers polices.

 

[Noctosphere]

It is not against the law, but against console manufacturers polices.

i still dont see any prosecution

 

[kumikochan]

not all countries. Think Belgium it is allowed and def in the Netherlands where they even have shops where they do services like that in public

 

[Noctosphere]

*snip*

not all countries. Think Belgium it is allowed and def in the Netherlands where they even have shops where they do services like that in public

lol seriously? o.O

 

[windhazard]

You can do whatever you want with things you own. Modding your console is not illegal but it goes against the company's term of service so they can void your warranty rights.

Running open sourced homebrews is not illegal. Copyright infringement (using backup loader to run commercial games) is however illegal.

 

[Duhasst0]

@Noctosphere its not illegal in the states to mod your device, it just voids the warranty.

What ever dumb shit you feel like doing with your device is your choice, hence warez.

 

[Risingdawn]

It is illegal in most countries. However as a rule it is a small claims case, and as a result carries a minor fine and no custodial sentence. The result being it would cost Nintendo far more in legal fees than they could ever hope to recoup from the hacker, who probably doesn't have any money in the first place.

However, that changes somewhat should a hacker make money off of it, which is why generally they don't charge or take donations. Should a hacker take donations they would then be liable for a much greater fine and a custodial sentence.

How the hardware guys get away with it I don't know, I guess as manufacturing is all outsourced to China or something. China has very different laws regarding this sort of thing, which is the reason you get so much cheap knockoff Chinese fake crap.

 

[Noctosphere]

You can do whatever you want with things you own. Modding your console is not illegal but it goes against the company's term of service so they can void your warranty rights.

Running open sourced homebrews is not illegal. Using backup loaders to infringe copyrighted products (commercial games) is however illegal.

@Noctosphere its not illegal in the states to mod your device, it just voids the warranty.

What ever dumb shit you feel like doing with your device is your choice, hence warez.

alright, thanks for your answer but I was mainly talking about developpers who develops exploit
not the end user like most of us

 

[wurstpistole]

It is illegal in most countries.

What are you talking about? Of course modding a console is not in the slightest bit illegal. What you do with it is another story.
But of course installing CFW and playing homebrew is as far away from illegal as it possibly can get.

 

[PewnyPL]

You are by law allowed to do whatever with your console. So, hacking it IS legal. The only reason Sony was able to get Geohot prosecuted was because he leaked the key publicly, which is a copyright infringement.
However, the manufacturer's EULA still stands, so if they find you modded your console, then they have the full right to block you from using THEIR online services (read as: ban).

 

[Duhasst0]

alright, thanks for your answer but I was mainly talking about developpers who develops exploit
not the end user like most of us

People actually get paid by companies to find exploits and hack their own equipment and software on a regular basis. Like stated above
someone must first post confidential information protected under copyright law. Actually the switch devs could be getting contacted
by Nintendo for info but probably not.

 

[Noctosphere]

You are by law allowed to do whatever with your console. So, hacking it IS legal. The only reason Sony was able to get Geohot prosecuted was because he leaked the key publicly, which is a copyright infringement.
However, the manufacturer's EULA still stands, so if they find you modded your console, then they have the full right to block you from using THEIR online services (read as: ban).

what do you mean by "the key"?
you mean a per-console key?

 

[Duhasst0]

what do you mean by "the key"?
you mean a per-console key?

Like the old dvd decryption key back in the day is another good reference to that same policy.

 

[Noctosphere]

Like the old dvd decryption key back in the day is another good reference to that same policy.

okok ic

 

[BvanBart]

It is illegal. You are not using the product as advised and as agreed in the TOS.
GeoHotz from PS3 had to stop his development for a police raid on his place.

 

[PewnyPL]

what do you mean by "the key"?
you mean a per-console key?

No, it was the root key, allowing to encrypt code so it runs on ANY PS3 console.

 

[PewnyPL]

It is illegal. You are not using the product as advised and as agreed in the TOS.
GeoHotz from PS3 had to stop his development for a police raid on his place.

It's legal. Breaching the TOS just means you no longer receive services from that company (ie. PSN ban for example)
GeoHot had a police raid due to leaking the PS3's root key.

 

[nmkd]

A lot of people here have no clue of what they are saying.

Console hacking is 100% legal as long as you don't break copyright laws (piracy, etc).

 

[Noctosphere]

A lot of people here have no clue of what they are saying.

Console hacking is 100% legal as long as you don't break copyright laws (piracy, etc).

Ok, I got it, hacking your own console is legal, I got it
But what I'm asking is is developping exploit and releasing hack to public legal?