The second big UK mod bust finds Neil Stanley Higgs out of a really good gig. The modchip vending business (www.mrmodchips.com and www.mrmodchips.co.uk) he began in 2002 made him over £1 million, but that all came to an end when the Bristol City Council’s Trading Standards after Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) tracked him down.
Poor Higgs was hit with 26 offenses, including several counts for possession of multiple chipped consoles, advertising mod chips, and of course supplying and selling them. The consoles found in his home were used against him in court. He tried to argue that some were owned by family and friends, but he was quickly shut down by the Judge.
“It sends a clear message to anyone tempted to become involved in "chipping" consoles that this is a criminal offence and will be dealt in the strongest possible way, aid Michael Rawlinson, managing director of ELSPA. "The modification of consoles is an activity that ELSPA’s anti-piracy team is prioritizing – it is encouraging to see the UK courts do the same.”
Dale North is Destructoid's Editor-In-Chief, a founding editor, and specialist in Japanese gaming. An accomplished musician, Dale was reporting from Japan during the earthquakes of 2011. Luckily, he got the fuck out alive and is home in America now with his wife and beloved corgi, Einstein. Dale is also a co-founder of Destructoid's sister anime site
Japanator. Likes Corgis, Sega Saturn, PSP, iPhone, Photographic tools.
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Contest:
11:42 AM on 10.25.2007
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You bought the hardware. You should be able to modify it how you please. If that means putting a chip in that allows you to play imports or burned games that's the customers decision.
If, on the other hand, he is putting ROMs or games on the drives or memory of the consoles then yes he is in the wrong. But, just chipping or selling chips should in no way be illegal. They have no proof that every chip is going to be used for piracy.
Problem in the US is that the DMCA lazily makes anything that breaks "effective" anti piracy controls illegal.
Problem in the UK is that they are even bigger bitches than the US when it comes to tech/entertainment industry regulation.
Hack the planet?
Dreamers are only classified as watch-list, but their emanations are too dangerous for the general public.
How would one apply for citizenship in Sweden? And, how long would it take someone to become one?
They're so much tastier now when cooked.
I can assume things too. You just painted your car red? You're obviously trying to attract bulls to the neighborhood to maul our children.
Fucking. Epic. Quote.
So i get myself a nice m3 ds simply with a micro sd memory that cost me 60 dollars.
If they want me to buy original games, then i want the games to be the same price as in the USA.
Oh, wait, I'm in Norway. NEVER MIND!
maybe a rethink?
you are right, a friend wants an m3 and he cant find it anywhere.