Federal Agents Go After Gaming Pirates: Several US Modchip Stores Raid Options

[Xbox-Scene]

Federal Agents Go After Gaming Pirates: Several US Modchip Stores Raided Posted by XanTium | August 1 17:57 EST | News Category: Xbox_Xbox360

From news.yahoo.com: [QUOTE] Federal customs agents Wednesday raided more than 30 businesses and homes in 16 states, looking for devices that allow pirated video games to play on Wiis, PlayStation 2s and Xboxes. The alleged sale and distribution of illegal modification chips and copyright circumvention devices for the popular consoles and others included 32 search warrants in 16 states, said the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ICE declined to release the names of those targeted but said they are allegedly responsible for importing, installing, selling and distributing foreign-made devices smuggled into the U.S. Illegal chips and other devices used on gaming consoles violate the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998. Sales of counterfeit or illegally obtained games costs the industry about $3 billion a year globally, not including Internet piracy, estimates the Entertainment Software Association trade group. Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft Corp. issued a statement applauding ICE's efforts to reduce piracy and protect the gaming industry's intellectual property. A company spokeswoman would not divulge Microsoft's individual piracy losses. The raids were conducted in: California, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin. [/QUOTE] We have strong indications that several big US modchip resellers were hit by the raid, but we don't have exact details yet. Full Story: news.yahoo.com

[Chancer]

we should list shops we think are hit (the feds wont). whats the harm if the damage is done?

Don't bother, because the ones that were not hit could become targets if we start compiling lists.

Note
This is not a discussion about piracy if you read the whole thing (we are not discussing the pros/cons of piracy). Nor is it open season to admit to piracy. Do not turn it that way and do not confess to piracy here. Seems I have to keep repeating this.

@Apple. Hope it all turns out ok for you mate.

This post has been edited by Chancer: Aug 2 2007, 03:19 PM

[Havok]

Don't bother, because the ones that were not hit could become targets if we start compiling lists.

I hardly think us having a list would be different than the one the goverment already has...

Any ones mentioned here would be the very public ones... public is visible thats the bottom line.

I am not advocating creating a list... just stating my opinion... besides for the fact is any list would be speculation as other sites may be down just for the fact of trying to keep themselves safe.