2nd July 2003, 1:21 PM
I wanna get this straight: <b>Modchips are not illegal.</b>
The illegal part of modchips is the software that is put on them. It is perfectly legal to buy a blank modchip that has not been flashed. Perfectly legal! But it <i>is</i> illegal to sell a pre-flashed modchip or to flash it yourself with illegal software.
It is also legal to do something like crack DVD encryption, or to -- oh, i don't know, figure out a way to install linux on the Xbox -- as long as you don't tell anyone. ;)
These people are idiots if they think Microsoft will comply to the threat. Microsoft knows their way around the law and will most definitely win this battle should it go to court.
The Xbox is a cheap ass, powerful computer. It's cost effective for anyone wanting to buy dozens of them and network them together and create a cost effective super computer. That's why people are so eager to install linux easily on an Xbox. And while people get dirt cheap hardware, Microsoft pays the price, which they will not stand for. You'll see.
The illegal part of modchips is the software that is put on them. It is perfectly legal to buy a blank modchip that has not been flashed. Perfectly legal! But it <i>is</i> illegal to sell a pre-flashed modchip or to flash it yourself with illegal software.
It is also legal to do something like crack DVD encryption, or to -- oh, i don't know, figure out a way to install linux on the Xbox -- as long as you don't tell anyone. ;)
These people are idiots if they think Microsoft will comply to the threat. Microsoft knows their way around the law and will most definitely win this battle should it go to court.
The Xbox is a cheap ass, powerful computer. It's cost effective for anyone wanting to buy dozens of them and network them together and create a cost effective super computer. That's why people are so eager to install linux easily on an Xbox. And while people get dirt cheap hardware, Microsoft pays the price, which they will not stand for. You'll see.