PlayStation 3 Hackers Warn Against Illegitimate Clones

[Tom Goldman]

PlayStation 3 Hackers Warn Against Illegitimate Clones

The original PlayStation 3 crack is the only way to go, according to the hackers that created it.

The hackers that supposedly broke the PlayStation 3's copy protection for the first time [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/102890-Rumor-Hackers-Crack-PS3-Copy-Protection] are warning consumers about competitors that won't give them the proper level of customer service. It's rumored that clones of the copy protection negation system are already being sold from unscrupulous vendors, so the original developers want to make sure that people don't buy illegitimate versions of its illegal-ish device.

The device, said to be a USB dongle, is promoted as one that will stop software updates that can brick the PlayStation 3 or cause other issues [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/99775-PlayStation-3-Firmware-Update-Causes-Problems] that have happened in the past. It's also meant as a "backup" device, but it unfortunately could also be used for nefarious purposes such as illegal piracy.

The hackers warn: "Beware of Imitators and Chinese knockoffs." They say their device is the "original solution" and that consumers should "buy original for warranty and support." If the distributors they are shopping from don't have an "authorized logo" for the unauthorized device, they shouldn't buy it.

This is a bit like telling people to make sure their bootleg DVDs come from authorized bootleg DVD retailers. Let's be honest, the USB "jailbreaking" device is going to be used in ways it shouldn't be, so it's almost silly to try to protect consumers from illegitimate versions of it when the original is pretty illegitimate itself. It's pretty ballsy though, and perhaps someone, somewhere, someday will use it for a purpose that might have some semblance of legality.

Source: CVG [http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=261223]

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[Outlaw Torn]

They should just sue the people pirating their piracy software/hardware. Bloody thieves!

 

[TerribleAssassin]

I feel courtcase coming on between Sony and the dongle makers..



OT: So you don't want people copying your work, when it's just the exact same thing? Confusing...

 

[Mr. Grey]

Hahaha! This is too good.

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

The pirates want to be the only successful pirates. That is nothing new but they will be obsolete within the year (perhaps 2 at the most) when Sony makes countermeasures. The cycle of Hacking and Patching continues again.

[sub][sub][sub]Sony is going to fix it, seeing as these guys are dumb enough to advertise it.[/sub][/sub][/sub]

 

[razer17]

This is a bit like telling people to make sure their bootleg DVDs come from authorized bootleg DVD retailers. Let's be honest, the USB "jailbreaking" device is going to be used in ways it shouldn't be, so it's almost silly to try to protect consumers from illegitimate versions of it when the original is pretty illegitimate itself. It's pretty ballsy though, and perhaps someone, somewhere, someday will use it for a purpose that might have some semblance of legality.

It's major purpose is legal. Just because you think everyone who owns a device such as this is a pirate, that's your problem. Consumers should always be protected from illegitimate stuff. Your computer could be used to emulate or download roms, should you be sold a knock off PC?

 

[Borntolose]

I still don't see how they plan to get around the problem of nobody having a Blu-Ray writer.

 

[Therumancer]

Actually the arguement is a sound one, all rhetoric aside.

If you ever bothered to watch fansubbed anime and the like, especially back in the day, some teams and groups were a lot better about it, and more honest in dealing with people. Viruses being stuck on DVDs/DC for if people were to play the videos on a computer, people taking the money used to cover the expense of tapes/CDs and shipping and never sending anything, and just generally bad quality all around. A lot of people wrecked computers and somehow even players back in the day when that was one of the only ways to see much Anime.

Not to mention differant versions of chips used to "mod" game consoles to bypass region lockouts (which never should have existed to begin with).

To me this situation most reminds me of "Bleem" which was a device that would translate games between systems, allowing one to play say Playstation games on an X-box, or (right before they went down) Dreamcast games on a Playstation. Similar to say using programs to run C-64 or Apple abandonware on your PC.

"Bleem" went pretty much public for a while, and stores like Gamestop carried their products (in very limited quantities) for a while. However by acting somewhat legitimate this made them an easy target to eventually be shut.

I'm guessing these guys are taking a similar attitude that the laws are ridiculous, and popular support will prevent them from being shut down. It has however not worked in the past, since with what their doint they aren't even operating in the gray area of "Abandonware" and "Fansubbing" if I understand what this actually does correctly.

 

[Xiorell]

I still don't see how they plan to get around the problem of nobody having a Blu-Ray writer.

I do !!!!! Maybes I becomes a pirate!! HUZZAAAAAR !!!!

 

[MasterSplinter]

It's not a philosophical stand, it's a practical stand. This device will probably need a sizable knowledge base and will probably use firmware updates, it's hard to believe they would be able to start charging money for those services without being promptly put to jail. At least not the regional suppliers. So if this database for troubleshooting comes to existence it will probably only work with the original dongle.

If not it would be like going through the Ipod faq's to solve a problem with your zune...

 

[Fensfield]

I.. actually have to admit, hate piracy though I do, if this device could let me backup the games I bought online (WipEout HD (before we knew there'd be a hard copy), Rocket Knight, MegaMan 9..) for use in the long-term (collector that I am, I never feel comfortable knowing I'm at the servers' mercy, I might actually acquire it.

That said I'd likely never actually /use/ the thing until we got confirmation the PS3 servers were shutting down, I'd rather not 'brick' my PS3 by using a device some prat knows damn-well he's skirting the law claims will protect me from damage done by people actually built and designed the system.

Yes, there've been accidents, but seriously, how much greater is the likelihood of an illegal, 3rd party device breaking my system compared to Sony maintenance? 'Makes me wary of risking using one as a backup medium, even.

 

[Ironic Pirate]

I'm thinking this is just a way of covering their tracks when it doesn't work.

"No, you didn't have the official PS3 PiratePro. That costs 45 USD."

 

[Naheal]

From the context, it seems that they're warning people away from buying pirated copies.

 

[Woodsey]

So... Much... Irony...

 

[razer17]

Yea all none IBM computes should be made illegal. Right? oh or do you not get that all none IBM's are knock off PC's and your argument is full of holes.

You clearly didn't get the point. Let me make it clear for you:

Your analogy only works if all non-IBM computers didn't work. This clearly isn't the case. All I was saying is, that consumers deserve protection, and that just because this product has illegitimate uses, doesn't mean everyone is going to use it as such.

Clearer now? Want to show me where the holes are? If you want to have a go at me and insult me, make sure you get your fucking facts right. Other wise you makes yourself look silly.