http://arstechnica.com/…

“Illicit devices like the ones targeted today are created with one purpose in mind, subverting copyright protections,” said Julie L. Myers, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in a statement. “These crimes cost legitimate businesses billions of dollars annually and facilitate multiple other layers of criminality, such as smuggling, software piracy and money laundering.”

Despite Myers’ assertion that mod chips are created for the sole purpose of subverting copyright, the truth is that they are popular with gamers for a number of reasons—some of which arise from frustrations related to fair use. Mod chips extend the functionality of the consoles, allowing gamers to load full games onto hard drives (making it easier to lug one’s favorite games to a friend’s house), use the consoles as media centers, and play homebrew content. In contrast, the hardware companies and the Entertainment Software Association can’t stand them because they can also be used to play pirated discs; that’s the rationale given by the ICE for the raids.

This is going to be a DMCA issue I’m sure of it. Funny how someone who is supposed to be related to homeland security is knocking down the doors of people selling little PCBs which allow others to use their private property as they see fit. I agree with the concept of copyright. I think however the laws have fallen behind the times. For example: software which is no longer sold or supported (abandonedware) should no longer be held under the copyright monopoly law. Only the abstract should allow continue use, like characters. Copyright infringement is something the government should be judging on… it should not however be actively searching out infringers. Like patents and trademarks it should be the owners responsibility to investigate and bring charges against individuals.