Jari Ketola
29 Aug 2003 7:22
Australian Federal Court has decided to allow Sony Playstation owners to "chip" their consoles. The decision makes it possible for Australians to modify the consoles so that they will play games from different regions, as well as copied games.
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) supported the individual sued by Sony Computer Entertainment in the case, and applauded the decision.
"Australian consumers can now enjoy games legitimately bought overseas, as well as authorised back-up copies, by legally having their consoles chipped," said ACCC chairman Professor Alan Fels.
The Australian Copyright Act prevents copyprotection circumvention devices, such as mod chips, if the copyright protection measures have no commercial significance. However in Sony's case the court saw that the protection was implemented to allow Playstation games to be priced differently in various regions.
Sony was disappointed by the ruling, and is concidering to appeal.
Source:
ElectronicsNews