Sony Computer Entertainment’s response to PlayStation 3 hacking is simple—break system and terms of service agreements and your access to the PlayStation Network will be permanently terminated. The statement from SCE, posted on the PlayStation Blog, arrives on the heels of PS3 hacks from GeoHot and fail0verflow. Sony is taking the issue extremely seriously and is pursuing legal action against iPhone hacker GeoHot in California courts.
Here is the official statement from SCE:
Notice: Unauthorized circumvention devices for the PlayStation 3 system have been recently released by hackers. These devices permit the use of unauthorized or pirated software. Use of such devices or software violates the terms of the “System Software License Agreement for the PlayStation 3 System” and the “Terms of Services and User Agreement” for the PlayStation Network/Qriocity and its Community Code of Conduct provisions. Violation of the System Software Licence Agreement for the PlayStation 3 System invalidates the consumer guarantee for that system. In addition, copying or playing pirated software is a violation of International Copyright Laws. Consumers using circumvention devices or running unauthorized or pirated software will have access to the PlayStation Network and access to Qriocity services through PlayStation 3 system terminated permanently.
To avoid this, consumers must immediately cease use and remove all circumvention devices and delete all unauthorized or pirated software from their PlayStation 3 systems.
Game piracy damages the industry and can potentially injure the online experience, SCEA Social Media Manager Jeff Rubenstein posted on the PlayStation Blog. This is Sony’s initial response to the issue, so the company could potentially take further action.
“By identifying PlayStation 3 systems that breach our guidelines and terminating their ability to connect to PlayStation Network, we are protecting our business and preserving the honest gameplay experiences that you expect and deserve,” Rubenstein wrote.
“Rest assured, this message does not apply to the overwhelming majority of our users who enjoy the world of entertainment PlayStation 3 has to offer without breaching the guidelines detailed above, and we urge you to continue doing so without fear,” he continued.
Hacking is always a touchy subject. What are your thoughts?