Disconnection for piracy spreads to games consoles

By Richard

November

13

2009

Following a recent move by Microsoft it appears that the row over illegal piracy has now spread from broadband to games consoles, with many X-Box users finding themselves being disconnected this week.

The row over disconnection of broadband users that are illegally downloading files and are involved in online piracy has caused a great deal of controversy lately. It now appears that games console users also have something to worry about, after Microsoft disconnected up to one million gamers this week from its X-Box Live gaming service for using illegally downloaded copies of games.

Officials from Microsoft said that the gamers that had been disconnected were those that they believed had modified their consoles so that they could play pirate copies of games. The move coincided with the release of the eagerly anticipated game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. The fact that pirate copies of this game appeared prior to its release resulted in Microsoft deciding to take action against many console users.

One official from Microsoft stated: “All consumers should know that piracy is illegal and that modifying their Xbox 360 console to play pirated discs violates the Xbox Live terms of use, will void their warranty, and result in a ban from Xbox Live.” The company also said: “The health of the video game business depends on customers paying for the genuine products and services they receive from manufacturers, retailers, and the third parties that support them.”

Disconnected console owners will still be able to play games offline following disconnection, but X-Box users who have paid to have their consoles modified are mortified by the measures that are being taken by Microsoft, as some have paid a fair amount of money to get their consoles modified.

Source – Information Week