A Playstation 3 hack which unlocks the signing code of the console has pushed Sony into taking legal action against the hacker group that pulled it off. The hacking group in question, named fail0verflow has over 100 members facing legal action for their involvement in the hack.
The unlocking of the Playstion 3's signing code (which is used to identify if software or games being used on the console are genuine or not) means that users can run any sort of programme on the console, as well as potentially play pirated games. As a result, Sony's basis for taking the group to court is for copyright infringement and computer fraud.
One of fail0verflow's hackers, 21 year old George Hotz, who is famous for hacking the iPhone is not worried about the case or Sony. Hotz said that "I have spoken with legal counsel and I feel comfortable that Sony's action against me doesn't have any basis."
If Sony's legal action is successful, the members of fail0verflow could obtain a restraining order which would ban them from further hacking, as well as the right to distribute any software they come up with from the hacking.
Fail0verflow's website at first showed some of the legal documents regarding the case for those interested, also noting that they never endorsed gaming piracy and in fact condoned it. Now the site is '404'd' warning that anyone requesting donations in their name are scammers.
With hacking becoming so common, and many companies finding the hacking of their devices rather annoying to say the least (Apple infamously disliking it), will Sony's legal actions change the freedom of letting people tinker with the devices they paid for however they wish? On fail0verflow's Twitter, they mention that "PS3s are permanently owned through hardware, but Sony can throw roadblocks in your way via SW."
We'll keep an eye on the potentially futile case, and can only naively hope it doesn't end messily.
Via: T3