Sony Issues Official Statement on PS3 Jailbreak, Hackers Beware

When the tools to ‘jailbreak’ the PlayStation 3 were released to the public earlier this year, technology giant Sony sprang into action, fearing that piracy and cheaters could cost the company billions. Sony immediately filed a lawsuit against the key individuals involved in the hack, and released a firmware update that they hoped would thwart hackers. While their efforts so far seem to have done little to slow down the growing levels of piracy, Sony has released an official statement that might just make anyone planning on hacking their PS3 think twice.

Sony Computer Entertainment has now released the following statement on the US PS Blog:

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.

People who jailbreak their PS3 will be permanently banned from the PlayStation Network and other online services, which means that any games you bought off the store will be lost, as will the online use of the PS3. While it is unsure when the bans will roll out, Sony have stated that “this is our initial response”, with maybe more planned in the future.

It’s probably not too late to restore your PS3 to the official firmware if you have hacked your console, so many gamers may choose the safer option and not risk their expensive console.

Sony has urged gamers to continue playing without fear, promising to tackle the menace of cheaters and hackers that have crippled online gameplay in some games, without banning those not involved.

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