Post by: Xbox-Scene on May 10, 2006, 07:47:00 PM
Xbox Pirates Plead Guilty-- Posted by XanTium on May 10 21:11 EST
From informationweek.com:
Quote
A co-owner of a Hollywood, Calif. video game store pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to participating in a conspiracy to violate federal copyright laws by pirating and installing video games on specially modified Xbox game consoles sold through the store.
Jason Jones, 34, of Los Angeles, a co-owner of ACME Game Store, pleaded guilty in a Los Angeles federal court in Los Angeles before United States District Judge Edward Rafeedie. Jones' partner -- Jonathan Bryant, 44, of Los Angeles -- has signed a plea agreement and is scheduled to plead guilty to a conspiracy count on Monday.
Jones admitted in court that he and Bryant modified Xbox game consoles by installing more than 50 pirated games on each machine. Jones had Xbox machines running as demonstrators in ACME Game Store, and he described in detail to customers the advantages of the modifications.
Jones is scheduled for sentencing on August 7. The statutory maximum sentence for the conspiracy is five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or gross loss resulting from the offense.
Read More: informationweek.com
Post by: Heet on May 10, 2006, 07:03:00 PM
Post by: busyychild on May 10, 2006, 07:07:00 PM
QUOTE(Heet @ May 11 2006, 01:34 AM) 
Idiots. What did they expect would happen to them lol.
not 5 in the federal pound me the ass prison, w/o conjugal visits... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)
This post has been edited by busyychild: May 11 2006, 02:07 AM
Post by: timo1023 on May 10, 2006, 06:43:00 PM
QUOTE(Heet @ May 10 2006, 07:34 PM) 
Idiots. What did they expect would happen to them lol.
Honestly. These guys are incredibly stupid. They probably sold each Xbox for like 300$, though.
"The men installed illegal modification chips on the game systems which allowed users to store and play pirated video games."
http://www.cybercrim...jonesIndict.htm
What? Illegal modchips? I don't think so...
Post by: Reaper527 on May 10, 2006, 06:52:00 PM
about the "illegal modchips" its possible they where illegal, everyone that i know that bought a premod system online had their chips coming preflashed with the xecuter or evox bios (differant bios's from differant shops). i would imagine these guys did the same thing.
Post by: silentbob31320 on May 10, 2006, 07:36:00 PM
Post by: Alex548 on May 10, 2006, 07:04:00 PM
the preloaded games is what did them in.
Post by: TheIceman72 on May 10, 2006, 07:31:00 PM
Sounds like some Forest Gump stuff to me.
Post by: amb7247 on May 10, 2006, 08:09:00 PM
Post by: xboxexpert on May 10, 2006, 08:12:00 PM
-xboxexpert
Post by: throwingks on May 10, 2006, 07:39:00 PM
QUOTE(busyychild @ May 10 2006, 08:38 PM)
not 5 in the federal pound me the ass prison, w/o conjugal visits...
F'n A man!
Post by: juan_2006 on May 10, 2006, 08:21:00 PM
Post by: bigriz44 on May 10, 2006, 08:24:00 PM
Post by: r50la on May 10, 2006, 08:35:00 PM
Post by: tgm4883 on May 10, 2006, 08:39:00 PM
QUOTE
Shit. I'm a free man and I haven't had a conjugal visit in six months.
Sounds like someone has a case of the Mondays.
This post has been edited by tgm4883: May 11 2006, 03:40 AM
Post by: 0794 on May 10, 2006, 08:32:00 PM
Post by: Heet on May 10, 2006, 08:42:00 PM
something as assinine as that.
I got a guy in town with a game boutique that wants me to do a Mame setup and then he wants to charge people. Its a gamersasylum if you've ever been. So, for a fee (250$), Im supposed to jeapordize my way of life and buttcrack. NOT!
This post has been edited by Heet: May 11 2006, 03:43 AM
Post by: HSDEMONZ on May 10, 2006, 08:48:00 PM
what the going rate?
(just goofin' on yah.)
Post by: nectar12 on May 10, 2006, 09:22:00 PM
lets see.. im gonna open a store and sell pirated software... nothing can go wrong.
Post by: emko on May 10, 2006, 09:43:00 PM
17 years lol thats fucked up i bet real criminals like drug dealers get less then that
Post by: gehx on May 10, 2006, 09:51:00 PM
enjoy your stay in the pen....I'll think about you when I listen to Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison.
Post by: Heet on May 10, 2006, 10:20:00 PM
I told him not to make friends with any of the guards and pretend you have a flaming case of the AIDS.
This post has been edited by Heet: May 11 2006, 05:22 AM
Post by: rasstar on May 10, 2006, 10:24:00 PM
QUOTE(xboxexpert @ May 11 2006, 02:43 AM)
Wow, I feel bad for them. There life now resides in a 10x10 cell for the next 5 years. Everyone here is saying there stupid there idiots but the fact remains that just because they sold some illegal stuff that didn't hurt anyone there going to be stripped away from there families for 5 years and also might have to pay money while in jail, making it harder for the families to make a recovery. I feel bad for them.
-xboxexpert
Hurts game developers who spend so much time making the game then someone gets it for free. Stealing is a crime and to make it worse they stole software and was selling them for profit.
Post by: ThaCrip on May 10, 2006, 10:35:00 PM
if he's going to do something like this he needs to keep it on the down low.... not say "im selling modified xbox consoles with 50 illegal games so come and bust me!" lol
Post by: appleguru on May 10, 2006, 10:33:00 PM
QUOTE(amb7247 @ May 10 2006, 09:40 PM)
the chips themselves aren't illegal to my knowledge. But it's the firmware or software that runs them are. WHich is why it's hard to find the latest versions unless you know of the exact places to download them.
Well, that depends.. In the US anyways, the chips themselves, regardless of what's flashed on them, are a grey area.. Technically, due to section 1201 of the DMCA they're illegal:
QUOTE(DMCA Sec 1201)
(2) No person shall manufacture, import, offer to the public, provide, or otherwise traffic in any technology, product, service, device, component, or part thereof, that -
( A ) is primarily designed or produced for the purpose of circumventing a technological measure that effectively controls access to a work protected under this title;
( B ) has only limited commercially significant purpose or use other than to circumvent a technological measure that effectively controls access to a work protected under this title; or
( C ) is marketed by that person or another acting in concert with that person with that person's knowledge for use in circumventing a technological measure that effectively controls access to a work protected under this title.
( A ) is primarily designed or produced for the purpose of circumventing a technological measure that effectively controls access to a work protected under this title;
( B ) has only limited commercially significant purpose or use other than to circumvent a technological measure that effectively controls access to a work protected under this title; or
( C ) is marketed by that person or another acting in concert with that person with that person's knowledge for use in circumventing a technological measure that effectively controls access to a work protected under this title.
I never really liked the DMCA anyways though
Post by: Flagg3 on May 10, 2006, 11:10:00 PM
QUOTE(appleguru @ May 11 2006, 12:40 AM)
Well, that depends.. In the US anyways, the chips themselves, regardless of what's flashed on them, are a grey area.. Technically, due to section 1201 of the DMCA they're illegal:
I never really liked the DMCA anyways though (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)
You forgot about the Reverse Engineering exception:
2. Reverse engineering (section 1201(f)). This exception permits
circumvention, and the development of technological means for such
circumvention, by a person who has lawfully obtained a right to use a
copy of a computer program for the sole purpose of identifying and
analyzing elements of the program necessary to achieve interoperability
with other programs, to the extent that such acts are permitted under
copyright law.
Modchips in and of themselves are not illegal, because they can be flashed with cromwell to use the Xbox to run Linux. This is a legitimate use and totally allowed because you are only circumventing the encryption for the purpose of acheiving interoperability with Linux. It's the very definition of why the exception was put into the DMCA.
Flagg
Post by: majik655 on May 10, 2006, 11:32:00 PM
QUOTE(Flagg3 @ May 10 2006, 10:10 PM)
You forgot about the Reverse Engineering exception:
2. Reverse engineering (section 1201(f)). This exception permits
circumvention, and the development of technological means for such
circumvention, by a person who has lawfully obtained a right to use a
copy of a computer program for the sole purpose of identifying and
analyzing elements of the program necessary to achieve interoperability
with other programs, to the extent that such acts are permitted under
copyright law.
Modchips in and of themselves are not illegal, because they can be flashed with cromwell to use the Xbox to run Linux. This is a legitimate use and totally allowed because you are only circumventing the encryption for the purpose of acheiving interoperability with Linux. It's the very definition of why the exception was put into the DMCA.
Flagg
and to add to yours..
if this was not in-cluded or allowed in the act.
1. Our technology would not for be where it is today..
2. Our technology would never grow
I am sure this part of the act has allowed Gates himself to succeed to where he is today.
They are going to put these guys through the ringer, as they should. How stupid can you be?
This post has been edited by majik655: May 11 2006, 06:32 AM
Post by: DaJimmyHat on May 10, 2006, 11:44:00 PM
And this guy is gonna get 5 years for selling pirated games??? I agree it was stupid what he did but 5 years???
What the fuck is wrong with our country man?
Post by: The Zep Man on May 10, 2006, 11:50:00 PM
Become a hit man, not somebody who sells illegal games. You'll get more money for the job and there are less risks. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)
[edit]
For the people with an IQ lower than their shoe size... that was sarcasm. Don't become a hit man at all.
This post has been edited by The Zep Man: May 11 2006, 06:51 AM
Post by: run088 on May 11, 2006, 12:12:00 AM
QUOTE(majik655 @ May 11 2006, 01:32 AM)
and to add to yours..
if this was not in-cluded or allowed in the act.
1. Our technology would not for be where it is today..
2. Our technology would never grow
I am sure this part of the act has allowed Gates himself to succeed to where he is today.
They are going to put these guys through the ringer, as they should. How stupid can you be?
i would just like to shed some light on this story that you all probly dont know anything about i am a newbie and i am sure there is all kind of things you all can tell me that i dont know about xbox but this is one subject i know a little about due to the fact i spent 6 years in federal prison first off pay attention to what was said a maximum of 5 years that is just some shit they put in the papers to make shit sound bad it is rare in federal court to get the max because it is not for the judge to decide he is bound by law to sentence them in their guide line range and cannot give the max . 2 fed prison is also refered to as club fed the only people that go there are drug dealers , bank robbers, or white collar crimes [frauds,embezelars] so nobody ever gets raped plus there are so many gays in there nobody would have to rape anybody . 3 the feds have 5 different custody levels 1 is camp where the guys from this story would go if they do go to prison and that joint dont even have a fence around it just a line on the ground that they are told not to cross there is nothing holding you back but your own free will you could walk off anytime you want but when you get caught you will be put in a worse place you are also fed good it is not to uncommen to get served steak once you get use to jacking off that shit is nothing ! there is almost never any time you are locked in a cell i been been as high as level 3 of 5 custody levels and never got put in lockdown besides when i got into trouble dont get me wrong prison is not sweet it sucks to not be able to do what you want to do when you want to do it but it is not that bad either but these guys will most likely ever go to prison if they do i would say a year max but probly not they will get a fine and some probation . how much money did they make? the end may have very well justified the means if it was a lot . i was once in jail with a guy who stole 10 million from the company he worked for and only got 3 years served two after good time and he kepted the money call me stupid but i would trade 2 years to be set for the rest of my life
Post by: DaJimmyHat on May 11, 2006, 12:30:00 AM
QUOTE(run088 @ May 10 2006, 11:19 PM)
call me stupid but i would trade 2 years to be set for the rest of my life
ok I will. Stupid. Not only are you stupid but you're a moron parolee. Why would anybody wanna take advice from a crook?
Post by: Heet on May 11, 2006, 12:37:00 AM
Link
This post has been edited by Heet: May 11 2006, 07:38 AM
Post by: Varung on May 11, 2006, 01:23:00 AM
game stores have been selling pirated games or systems form the SNES days in LA, it got realy big in the psx days. there was a time when you can walk in a game stores and find mostly (or only)pirated games.
the stores slowly got busted and the owners got a fine I think few guys did some time but only like a month or so. even now I know of 5, 6 game stores that sell pireted stuff, its not surpriseing thay got busted. there will always be a stores that sell pireted games and now and then some will get busted. but I dont think thay will get anything over a year if not only a fine.
Post by: run088 on May 11, 2006, 01:17:00 AM
QUOTE(DaJimmyHat @ May 11 2006, 02:30 AM)
ok I will. Stupid. Not only are you stupid but you're a moron parolee. Why would anybody wanna take advice from a crook?
Post by: burgemaster on May 11, 2006, 02:26:00 AM
jesus this is madness!
This post has been edited by burgemaster: May 11 2006, 09:27 AM
Post by: Reaper527 on May 11, 2006, 06:16:00 AM
QUOTE(run088 @ May 11 2006, 02:19 AM)
how much money did they make? the end may have very well justified the means if it was a lot . i was once in jail with a guy who stole 10 million from the company he worked for and only got 3 years served two after good time and he kepted the money call me stupid but i would trade 2 years to be set for the rest of my life
QUOTE
The statutory maximum sentence for the conspiracy is five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or gross loss resulting from the offense.
you can easily have your profits siezed, then some. with a maximum of double your gross profits (before taxes), that fine can get up there, and i doubt however much they reduce it below the max your making any profit (to make a profit they have to reduce the maximum over 50%, plus what judge would knowingly give a "criminal" a profit for their "crimes". (i use the quotes because while that stuff is illegal, i do feel that they get harder sentences then the drug dealers and rapists and other big time criminals)
Post by: run088 on May 11, 2006, 12:28:00 PM
QUOTE(Reaper527 @ May 11 2006, 08:23 AM)
you can easily have your profits siezed, then some. with a maximum of double your gross profits (before taxes), that fine can get up there, and i doubt however much they reduce it below the max your making any profit (to make a profit they have to reduce the maximum over 50%, plus what judge would knowingly give a "criminal" a profit for their "crimes". (i use the quotes because while that stuff is illegal, i do feel that they get harder sentences then the drug dealers and rapists and other big time criminals)
Post by: donsyob on May 11, 2006, 02:00:00 PM
Post by: Nameer_Shah on May 12, 2006, 05:36:00 AM
Post by: Arvarden on May 12, 2006, 05:59:00 AM
This post has been edited by Arvarden: May 12 2006, 01:01 PM
Post by: llwahooll on May 14, 2006, 04:24:00 PM
telling the manager about there "modded boxes" annd he tell emm its illgal and to stop
this is kinda like the opposite.
Post by: jha'dhur on May 14, 2006, 06:21:00 PM
QUOTE(amb7247 @ May 10 2006, 09:40 PM)
the chips themselves aren't illegal to my knowledge. But it's the firmware or software that runs them are. WHich is why it's hard to find the latest versions unless you know of the exact places to download them.
Any technology or device that allows circumvention of the DMCA is illegal.
In other words everyone here is a felon. PERIOD.....
This post has been edited by jha'dhur: May 15 2006, 01:22 AM
Post by: guitarfrk on May 14, 2006, 06:29:00 PM
QUOTE
Any technology or device that allows circumvention of the DMCA is illegal.
In other words everyone here is a felon. PERIOD.....
In other words everyone here is a felon. PERIOD.....
woohoo...now on those stupid quizzes that say "Have you ever broken a law?"
i can proudly say "YES, I have!"
Post by: throwingks on May 14, 2006, 07:17:00 PM
QUOTE(jha'dhur @ May 14 2006, 08:21 PM)
Any technology or device that allows circumvention of the DMCA is illegal.
In other words everyone here is a felon. PERIOD.....
What about everyone under 18? In other words everyone here is a felon. PERIOD.....
Plus, noone has ever been prosecuted for using a mod-chip. Only, mod-chips with Micro$oft code in its BIOS. I am not arguing the legality. It hasn't come up, as it has never been enforced. <--- USA
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modchip#USA_legality_under_DMCA
This post has been edited by throwingks: May 15 2006, 02:23 AM
Post by: jha'dhur on May 14, 2006, 07:26:00 PM
QUOTE(throwingks @ May 14 2006, 09:17 PM)
What about everyone under 18?
Plus, noone has ever been prosecuted for using a mod-chip. Only, mod-chips with Micro$oft code in its BIOS. I am not arguing the legality. It hasn't come up, as it has never been enforced. <--- USA
http://en.wikipedia....lity_under_DMCA
I tell you what, you can use http://en.wikipedia.org as a defense but I dont think it will fly in a court of law.
But like you said people will always cheat(the law).
QUOTE(throwingks @ May 14 2006, 09:17 PM)
It hasn't come up, as it has never been enforced. <--- USA
Kind of like the border crossers, so I shouldnt get bent out of shape about either. But crossing border is misdemeanor, modding is felony.
Modchips are illegal in any way shape or form, read the DMCA. They wrote the law to not in-clude any wiggle room or BS LINUX argument.
Post by: throwingks on May 14, 2006, 07:28:00 PM
http://forums.xbox-s...howtopic=512641
I will reply there from now on.
Post by: Modderxtrordanare on May 21, 2006, 10:08:00 PM
QUOTE
Any technology or device that allows circumvention of the DMCA is illegal.
In other words everyone here is a felon. PERIOD.....
In other words everyone here is a felon. PERIOD.....
You make an assumption that everyone here has a modded xbox.
QUOTE
how many of you can honestly say you've not pirated software? That be on your xbox your pc, dvd or a piece of music on cd? and have how many of you can honestly say you've never modified an xbox for a family member and not but games on hd?
You make the assumption that everyone is like you and steals their games, then you try to take the blame off and say everyone here has pirated something.
I personally havent stolen a single game and put it on my xbox, every game on there has been purchased by yours truly.