Thursday, August 2nd 2007
U.S. Customs Raid Targets Videogame Piracy
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents searched more than 30 businesses and homes across 16 states looking for mod-chips and swap-discs which allow users to play pirated titles on popular gaming consoles. Officials say these devices are created with the intent of subverting copy protections and not only cost legitimate businesses billions of dollar but include other crimes such as smuggling, software piracy and money laundering. The names of those who are accused of violating the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 were not released.
Source:
pcworld
45 Comments on U.S. Customs Raid Targets Videogame Piracy
Meanwhile, America rots from the inside out because the INS is so relaxed on it's immigration policies, that they don't even screen for convicted felons.
Bleh.
"Oh Well."
Extreme litigation has two negatives, rather than the obvious one. The second is that it produces more and more whacked out lawyers, who use special words to describe something as other than what it really is, to alleviate the responsibility of people's actions.
It's not "pirating" it's an "act of rebellion." It's not "crime," it's "rage against the system!"
;rolls eyes;
But lets face it, 99% of all people with mod chips use them to pirate games. lol
Ok, sorry. I'm done now. lol
But you might as well say Rage Against the Machine. That Zack dude was a walking liberal wigger timebomb.
The sad thing about that band is that Tom Morello, despite his political woes, is actually a damn good guitarist; graduate of Harvard, and was quite the 'shredder' back in the 80s. Zack's direction for the band really hindered Morello's playing ability to the point where he had to use his skill in a more 'creative' sense, ultimatley producing emulation style solos.
Similarily Neil Peart faced the same fate with Rush, after they hit their decline era in the 80s, and his playing was limited to the direction of the music.
In both cases, politics shaped these 'directions.'
Back to the topic: I love seeing video footage of these customs SWAT teams; all decked out in armor vests and tactical gear. It comes second in amusement only to the Animal Cops, beating the streets looking for animal rights offenders!
Best RIAA related media EVER. :p
This is why we have a Department of Homeland Security? While they are knocking down the doors of modders terrorists can jusk walk into the country. This is your tax money in action.
Then, you ship in your weapons seperately through a dummy corporation.
Its best to ship the weapons without ammo, as although they cant open the boxes, they can use sniffers that will pick up accellerants in your container which gives them authority to open it.
So you see, noones walking in. Flying is much more convenient :D
Furthermore, I'm disgusted (though not surprised) that Homeland Security is being used to raid peoples' houses looking for pirated gaming software -- call me crazy, but don't they have something a little more important to do with their time?
:roll:
Next you'll be hearing U.S. Customs Raid Targets PC users that install virtual drives because that can be used to do harm......
ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is part of the Department of Homeland Security.
I guess that they don't have enough to do with illegal immigration and terrorism, so they are busting modders.
Btw DaMulta, who's the lady in your avatar? I recognise her from somewhere.