Homebrew Is modding the 3DS illegal?

[Lucifer666]

I ask because I'm considering developing 3DS homebrew to turn in for my IB computer science project.

However given that the IB is all about being ethical/responsible and adhering to academic honesty and all that crap, spending hours and hours on a project only to have it go directly against the IB's code of honour is kind of like pissing in the wind

So, has Nintendo or the law explicitly stated anywhere that modding consoles is down right illegal? Or does it only void the warranty?

 

[BobDoleOwndU]

It may vary by country, but I believe it only breaks Nintendo's terms of service. Nothing in the law stopping you from modding something that you purchased.

 

[DaFixer]

I don't care if it is illegal or not, I pay for it then I also change it if I want.

 

[Lucifer666]

I don't care if it is illegal or not, I pay for it then I also change it if I want.

Hahah I agree, that's pretty much how I see it as well

but the reason I ask is because it would risk my grade if it is illegal

 

[zoogie]

Hahah I agree, that's pretty much how I see it as well

but the reason I ask is because it would risk my grade if it is illegal

Ask your instructor.
You've probably already thought of this but are afraid he might say no. That's not a good excuse for not asking since you could get in serious trouble. Its not worth it. Ask.

 

[Lucifer666]

Ask your instructor.
You've probably already thought of this but are afraid he might say no. That's not a good excuse for not asking since you could get in serious trouble. Its not worth it. Ask.

That's the issue, I discussed it with him today but he doesn't know and told me to ask around

 

[Arras]

If it's for a computer science project, I'd say it's probably not worth taking the risk.

 

[Queno138]

I ask because I'm considering developing 3DS homebrew to turn in for my IB computer science project.

However given that the IB is all about being ethical/responsible and adhering to academic honesty and all that crap, spending hours and hours on a project only to have it go directly against the IB's code of honour is kind of like pissing in the wind

So, has Nintendo or the law explicitly stated anywhere that modding consoles is down right illegal? Or does it only void the warranty?

Modding the 3ds voids warranty.

Also, you purchased it, so It's yours, But I believe you cannot mod it, cause it infringes their proprietary software and hardware usage.

 

[DarkFlare69]

It violates their TOS, but nobody gives a fuck. You paid for it, do what you want with it. Just don't break it and ask for them to repair it.

 

[minexew]

Modding a console is certainly not illegal in itself.

I don't how it is related to your project, though. You don't need to mod your console to load unsigned code.

 

[Jiro2]

DMCA. Modding a console is illegal if you break any technological protection measures. And you do.

 

[NicEXE]

Ethics was the most boring subject while studying computer science.

 

[sarkwalvein]

Is modifying your Vodka by adding some Orange juice illegal?
Even if it breaches Polish and Russian Codes of Conduct, I don't think it can be considered as illegal.

 

[Wowfunhappy]

Lucifer666, your location is listed as Shibuya—as in, Shibuya, Japan, correct? You really need to get some insight into Japanese-specific laws, I doubt anyone here will be familiar with them.

Here in the United States, circumventing encryption violates the DMCA except under a few special circumstances (such as jailbreaking cell phones).

 

[sarkwalvein]

Lucifer666, your location is listed as Shibuya—as in, Shibuya, Japan, correct? You really need to get some insight into Japanese-specific laws, I doubt anyone here will be familiar with them.

It is Shibuya in Antarctica, actually. I suppose you know that city inside the Schwarzwelt.

 

[Wowfunhappy]

It is Shibuya in Antarctica, actually. I suppose you know that city inside the Schwarzwelt.

Oh, lol. Anyway, some answer generally applies.

 

[DrunkenMonk]

It is not illegal, though Nintendo does not like it, I don't think you have anything to worry about, as long as you're not using their SDK or modifying the system firmware.

(using cubic ninja for homebrew if you're on 7.0 - 9.2 is most definitely perfectly fine)

You could scan over nintendo's terms of use, but the only things I recall that they outline are physical mod chips and modifying the system firmware(?).


In short: No, homebrew is not illegal anywhere, only the methods to allowing the homebrew could be.

 

[jamieyello]

Ethics was the most boring subject while studying computer science.

The two were never meant to mix.

 

[dubbz82]

It violates their TOS, but nobody gives a fuck. You paid for it, do what you want with it. Just don't break it and ask for them to repair it.

They usually will anyways (although expect to pay for it, and expect it to be returned with the latest and greatest firmware installed)

 

[pokemoner2500]

Smea made Portal 3DS for a computer science project so I think you should be fine!