I am a Trained Wireman, IS it legal to install PS2 and Xbox Chips?

[richcheckmate]

Basically, I have a place I can get mod-chips from quite cheap, and I was thinking of advertising "PS2/Xbox repair and chipping" in my local newspaper...............is this against the law?

I am not interested in selling backups or anything, infact I am not much of a gammer at all, its just that as I am trained to do this, I though I might make a small business out of it.

I see places online that do supply and install mod-chips still, so are they safe? I was told my local newspaper may even refuse to print my add, so I will prob have to advertise elsewhere, but obviously i need to know where I stand as I dont want to get my collar felt by the police.


Thanks for looking and sorting me out

[phil_u_up73]

I wouldnt publicly advertise this service as it isnt really a legal form of work. Now as a side hobby and word of mouth would do ya fine.

[pepsik]

Aussie's can advertise as it's completely legal for them, Italians have this privelage too. The states and the brits have passed legislature that makes it a violation of copyright laws, but it is still legal under intellectual property. You shouldn't advertise your services, but you can perform them and get paid for them. Intelectual property is the only loophole left :(

[handyguy]

the old forum has a big PS2 Installers forum at the top so you can legally do it, I got mine done in Calif.

[jim_trillionaire]

May i suggest a local "bargin hunter" or a paper that advertises private sales, we have one in my city, and thats where i found my chip, Its a paper for buyers and sellers of most anything

[Jesterrace]

I suggest going the route that handyguy suggested. Modchip installs are really a "grey area" I know that they have recently cracked down on modding in AUS, so I would say that if you are down there that it is definitely illegal.

[LiquidMercury]

@richcheckmate, you haven't specified where you're located. Some countries it's legal, others it isn't. Here in Canada it's legal to the best of my knowledge but you'll need to check with your countries own laws regarding this.

- Merc.

[Gameboss]

Like stated above, it all comes down to the laws in the country youre in.
I know EUcountrys dislike the modships a lot, thank god im not in one of them.
Here in Norway its as legall as selling gas in a gasstation.

[richcheckmate]

thanks for the response guys. I am in the UK. Like the message says at the top, I am trained to do this type of work and want to advertise..............but obviously I will not bother if its against the law. I am not interested in copies/backups as I know that is defo against the law, but I cant see why installing a chip would be illegal........surely its like and upgrade, like upgrading your PC. If you own the console, why cant you do what you want?

There are real reasons for chipping a PS2 for eg because the fact that games come out in Japan or the US long before the UK.........so if you buy them you will need a mod to be able to play them - any more thoughts?

thanks a lot for all your help

[richcheckmate]

anyone else?

[Indiana Jones]

I dont think they have a big problem with you playing imports, its the fact that modchips can allow you to play backups which is the big problem. For the Gamecube you can get Freeloader which only allows you to play imports and they dont seem to have a problem with that but if it allowed you to play backups also then im sure they would be trying to get the company who made it shut down.

[PH/\T B,5TARD]

Not to pour cold water on your aspirations but Sony took our local guy (ChannelTechnology.com) to court and cleaned him out, lost his shop, house the lot http://news.zdnet.co.uk/hardware/emergingtech/0,39020357,2100901,00.htm
he had a thriving business not only doing consoles but chipping other devices too...
Advertise with care M8

[handyguy]

Best thing to do is work for someone who already does this. Learn the business & the ways & how to talk just like you do for any other job.

[aciras]

The argument against chipping is that it bypasses security of the console, and that is violation of their copyright (or so they say :rolleyes:).

Like all the posts above, it differs from country to country, but in ALL places I would advise against public advertising. Word of mouth is probably the best way, but you can also find some "safe" forums to post your services.

Also that articel from ZDNet is from 2001, so you might want to find some more recent articles to get a feel for the current scene.