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Author Topic: Softmods Legal?  (Read 98 times)

Angerwound

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Softmods Legal?
« on: February 02, 2005, 10:11:00 AM »
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total_ass

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Softmods Legal?
« Reply #1 on: February 02, 2005, 10:24:00 AM »
well here in the UK softmods aren't even heard of.

the only issue i see there is that xbmc is built with the xdk, but i doubt that is considered a serious offence.

i don't feel that selling softmods is a morally right thing to do, as all of the stuff in the setup is intended to be free. apart from the xbox of course. selling a softmodded xbox may be considered an offense.
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Cio

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Softmods Legal?
« Reply #2 on: February 02, 2005, 10:25:00 AM »
Well, since any software built with sdk is considerd (at least by M$) to be their property, yes. But i personally feel any software is the property of the intellect that spawned it. So IMHO no, but whoever built the sdk ALSO owns xbmc!

So anyone involved in the software developed, and any software used to develop the software etc. would also have to agree to the distribution method.

But being unwilling to share knowledge (and thus software) is like not wanting your fellow man to progress, holding all of mankind (including yourself) back. And that would be kinda stupid since the goal to develop software is to advance.

Edit: I'm not claiming u cant ask for anything in return, cause thinking requires energy, thus the need to "refuel" your body.
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Angerwound

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Softmods Legal?
« Reply #3 on: February 02, 2005, 10:29:00 AM »
Great stuff.. Yes, the XDK thing is what worries me. However, one thing that came to my mind is.. What are the linux distributions built with? Too bad OpenXDK was never finished to provide video output, otherwise it would come in very handy at the moment.

@Total_Ass: Absolutely, softmods were meant to be free and will remain this. However, I was hoping to rid myself of a few extra softmodded boxes I have lying around. This is why I mention selling them on ebay.
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Cio

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Softmods Legal?
« Reply #4 on: February 02, 2005, 10:38:00 AM »
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Should be safe, although M$ could prob. screw you if they wanted.
Otherwise, even with sdk built software, they wouldn't screw you. (2 much trouble)

And if YOU feel it's morally justified, just do it. No matter what the law claims, human judgement/reason/feeling will always do better in every way.
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PedrosPad

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Softmods Legal?
« Reply #5 on: February 02, 2005, 10:42:00 AM »
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IIRC PBL was built with OpenXDK and has screen output (& IIRC some input - to control if the primary or alternate BFM BIOS file should be loaded)

Alternatively, ship your XBOXs softmodded to boot XBOX-Linux (definitely not built with the M$ XDK).  This way it does something useful out-of-the-box, and XBOX-Linux provides FTP access should the customer wish to modify it further themselves.  wink.gif
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Angerwound

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Softmods Legal?
« Reply #6 on: February 02, 2005, 10:48:00 AM »
What about a UXE->NKP->(Hexed MS Dash)

This would provide the possibility of playing backups without XDK built software.. (But no room for further advancements by the user)...

@Pedros, what are the linux distributions compiled with?
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PedrosPad

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Softmods Legal?
« Reply #7 on: February 02, 2005, 11:01:00 AM »
QUOTE(Angerwound @ Feb 2 2005, 05:54 PM)
@Pedros, what are the linux distributions compiled with?
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cmiz

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Softmods Legal?
« Reply #8 on: February 02, 2005, 11:12:00 AM »
as far as i know, according to the dmca (in the US of A), anything that allows for the use of pirated material (even if you had no intention of using it for pirating) is illegal. this is where the whole dvd backup thing hit trouble with the law. even though somebody was trying to mess around with DVD's that they owned, breaking the encryption that protected them is illegal. (the guy was actually just trying to watch dvd's he owned on a linux based machine....i can't believe they viewed that as illegal!!)

i don't agree with it at all. not that i'm for piracy....i just think that i should be able to backup games i own. i also have a 1.0 box with an ailing dvd drive. if it weren't for hard drive upgrades, it would be a paperweight soon.

as for selling them on ebay...i've seen xboxes offered with "tons and tons of games". i'm assuming they're not planning on sending you a big box of retail games along with the xbox you're getting, so personally, i wouldn't worry about things that are "kinda" illegal when there are so many instances of things that are "blatently" illegal in the same arena, y'know? at least in your situation, it's in a legal gray area. are xdk built programs the property of ms? it's still up in the air. and as for bioses....if you're really worried you could just use nkpatcher right? that's completely legal i think...
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DaddyJ

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Softmods Legal?
« Reply #9 on: February 02, 2005, 11:41:00 AM »
QUOTE(Angerwound @ Feb 2 2005, 12:54 PM)
What about a UXE->NKP->(Hexed MS Dash)
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DaddyJ

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Softmods Legal?
« Reply #10 on: February 02, 2005, 11:41:00 AM »
Damn I should know better.
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cmiz

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Softmods Legal?
« Reply #11 on: February 02, 2005, 12:09:00 PM »
way to double post noob....haha i'm KIDDING!

i think that editing ms files is sort of along the same lines as moving them around on the xbox. i'm not entirely sure if it's legal or not...but MS would certainly not approve. i'm guessing you could try the "i bought it so i can change it however i want to" defense....but i'm sure the EULA says it's not legit.

again though, "technically legal in all way shape and form" and being "legal enough for ebay" aren't the same thing...
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kingroach

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Softmods Legal?
« Reply #12 on: February 02, 2005, 01:04:00 PM »
Hexing Ms dash wouldnt be legal for the same reason you cant use advanced networking in xp hoem edition or you have to patch .dll's to allow you to add unsigned M$ themes. One solution would be is NKP could boot only linux and homebrew so  there wont be any illigality.
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Keo-Keo

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Softmods Legal?
« Reply #13 on: February 02, 2005, 02:15:00 PM »
QUOTE(Angerwound @ Feb 2 2005, 05:54 PM)
What about a UXE->NKP->(Hexed MS Dash)
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Keo-Keo

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Softmods Legal?
« Reply #14 on: February 02, 2005, 02:32:00 PM »
QUOTE(wrayal @ Feb 2 2005, 09:24 PM)
Keo-Keo: close wink.gif. Some Linux distros are known to break compatability in certain ways (Xebian oopses on my thinkpad for example). But other than that, yes, linux distros patched to work with xbox are also compatible with PC for the main part
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