Sony Loses Out Down Under In Chipping Case
The Australian High Court has ruled that it is not illegal to modify an Aussie-bought Playstation 2 so that it can play games imported from cheaper regions.
The modification involves soldering a chip onto the main circuit board. It not only allows the playing of legitimately purchased games from other regions, but also backups and counterfeit discs.
Sony’s case hinged around the counterfeit side of things, alleging that it broke Australian copyright law. The court rules that although the modification allowed the playing of copied games, it did not, in itself, allow the game to be copied.
The ruling is in contrast with that in the EU where the chips have been made illegal.
Add comment October 6th, 2005