Cheating your way through life: 1

The music and movie industries have implemented methods to prevent copying and illegal redistribution of their products. Obviously, they do this to create jobs and make money and to protect their intellectual property. Of course, some would argue that they do this simply because they can.

Unfortunately, these methods of protection limit our free use and often dictate what we can do with items we have purchased. Copyright laws vary depending on where you reside on the planet, but they do exist almost everywhere.

One side of the argument is the purchase and use of computer software – you do not own it, you are merely licensing it for your use. With music, movies and games, the same thing applies. We are purchasing the right to play and use the product for our personal enjoyment. Not to copy or broadcast.

The consumer’s main argument has always been what right does a company have to tell you what you can do with something you have purchased? When you buy a car, can the dealer tell you where when and how you can use it?

In relation to software, what happens if your original media is damaged? Can you get a replacement copy without having to purchase the product again? It depends, probably not, though. That doesn’t sit right with the average consumer. Why can we not copy or backup our purchased products for safekeeping? Simply put, because there is no way to legitimize your damaged media claim, and secondly, because the manufacturers can make more money.

When you tell someone no, and don’t offer a valid reason or justification, you can expect defiance and anger. This drives individuals to resist and find alternatives. Collectively, people form user groups and focus their energies on hacking into whatever they wish to change. One example is backing up copyrighted CDs and DVDs. Makers developed a special type of alphanumerical lock (a.k.a. encryption or copy protection) to protect music and movie CDs and DVDs from being copied or archived. There are some users who have devised ways to bypass these protection schemes, and in some cases made them available for download making the public free to backup their purchased media products.

In the U.S. they enacted DCMA laws to protect companies and the public against all forms of tampering and illegal copying of protected works, which further infuriates many, motivating them to work harder. Hacking groups come together, to try to combat these limitations, using the benefit of the Internet. Their collective power in unstoppable.

People have unlocked the Music and Movie protection schemes, most recently with the High Definition DVDs and Blu-ray DVDs. Computer software and games are also an easy prey.

Console games are the remaining frontier. Sony Play Station, Nintendo and Microsoft are the big three and all copy protection schemes have been circumvented. Methods to defeat them are quite complicated and in the past have required the installation of electronic bypass circuits, commonly called Modification chips, or modchips.

The most recent development includes the Nintendo WII and Microsoft’s Xbox 360 systems. Within days of retail release of these products, one could read about the progress made in bypassing the copy protection on these systems. The Xbox 360 copy protection scheme was bypassed within weeks of its release. Circumventing copy protection for the Xbox360 means that you can back up purchased games. One could copy the retail product, put it in safekeeping and play the backup version. This would seem to be a good way to protect your original media so that it is not scratched, lost, or broken.

People bypassed the copy protection scheme of the Nintendo WII soon after its release, shortly thereafter a modchip was developed to bypass the built-in protection technologies. Modchips are not for the faint of heart, and almost always require some sort of installation within the game console system. Installing a modchip voids the original manufacturer warranty in several ways. First, the Xbox and Xbox 360 have end-user licensing agreements (EULA), just as Microsoft Windows products do. Opening the package and using the system means that you have agreed to those terms and conditions. It means that in Microsoft’s case, you are using the Xbox/Xbox 360 and the software on it for entertainment purposes, you cannot do anything to modify, or exploit the hardware, or the programs running on it. Any attempt to do so voids the EULA, and may be punishable by law. Of course, good luck enforcing this in our homes, but try to sell a game, or make a profit and you can be legally punished, like this fellow.

Modchips are hardware modifications designed to bypass electrical circuitry, which means that their installation requires some knowledge of soldering and working with electronic circuits. Alternative modchips are software based and can often be run using specially created CD/DVDs using software exploitation techniques.

To be continued … »