The US Department of Justice has shut down a website selling “modchips”, a hardware device that removes copy protection from popular video game consoles, such as PlayStation, PlayStation2 or the Xbox. Soldering the chip into the game console allows you to play burned copies of the CDs and DVD based games.
In a similar way to the RIAA’s quest against the P2P crowd, this move yet again diminishes users rights to “fair-use” of purchased products. This one will probably not get as much press, but it’s just as dangerous. When you allow companies to influence government to act against consumers, it sets a dangerous precedent.
