is xbox modding legal?

[ahaloa]

hi. i was wondering if it is legal to softmod an xbox. also would it be legal to mod games for your xbox if you own the original copy of the game and do not distribute the mods. could someone please help me with this. i have looked around and noticed some people say its legal and others say its illegal. i would like to know if it is legal or illegal. please respond it would be appreciated. also would it be legal to video tape the mods for youtube.

[ZyGoMaTiC]

Most likely not.
Does pirating games sound legal to you?

[Anouthen]

It's not really illegal. It just matters what you do with the software you have. If you are saving games to your HDD on your Xbox then it's not really legal, but if you are making legit backups of games you own it's legal.

[reddishorange]

pretty sure its illegal, there was a kid in california who got like 11 years in prison for modding xboxes (for money). point is its not a big deal unless you try to sell em, or make a profit.

[Saiyan]

A form of reverse engineering for the sole purpose of bypassing the DMCA? I would think it's illegal.

[Tissues]

Sounds it, i mean what sounds dodgy with obtaining games for free, burning them t a disk and playing them on a console that shouldnt be able to do it.

[iSyn]

I wouldn't see how MODDING the Xbox is illegal. Sure it's against ToS, but it's all up to how you use the modifications.

[VMAN]

Here is a offical answer! NO IT IS NOT ILLIGEAL It is ILLIGEAL TO PIRATE GAMES which is a feature on the modded xbox if you do that its illigeal if you use it for halo 2 modding like me then its legal but not on xbox terms but you cant go to jail unless your pirateing

[EclipseModz]

Unless the software you apply to the system is completely made by you. Its illegal.

[ahaloa]

well it seems like im getting mixed answers and answers from people who really didnt read the topic. i do not want to use it for piracy. i own the original game i want to mod (halo 2). i have heard its legal to make backups if you own the original. i dont know if is legal to softmod your xbox. that is what i want to know and i want to know if its legal to moddify your backup copy of the game if you own the original if also i do not distribute the modified maps i make. i know a moddified xbox can be used to pirate games but that is not what i would be using it for.

[Scar]

It is illegal to bypass protection and modify any software on a console as you are bypassing the copyright protection of the consoles operating system. It is not illegal to modify hardware such as cases and fans unless your installing a modchip.

[scopen4]

Dont get caught and you shouldnt have any problems with the illegal/legal side of it.

[Stryk3rX5]

dudes, if he legally bought the game... as in went to the store paid the $60 for it and everything, its legal...

he can legally say "Damn, i don't want my DVD to scratch so imma make a Back-Up Copy" which really is the reason for being able to burn dvds/cds so that you can make back ups of your things.

now if he goes and says "Hey billy, ill sell you my real/back-up game for $xx" then it becomes illegal since now he is selling the product.

Piracy is when someone downloads games/movies/music without actually buying the original copy. its stealing.

I know it says reproduction and or distribution, sooo what it means is, if i download and make it without buying BAD! if i make a copy to sell it BAD! if i just want to back up my purchase its OK



Backing up your information in case something happened is totally OK!

[SiK GambleR]

actually:
By law you can do what you wish with how xbox hardware and software. But if you break TOS m$ has the right to ban you or prosecute. You are allowed to mod the xbox, but not do anything illegal on it. Modding with the intent to do illegal things, like illegal games, is illegal.

same way selling mod chips or installing them isn't illegal cause there not being sold with illegal intent, using them for illegal intent is.

[Scar]

You guys are both wrong... Read this Modder arrest a reminder that most console hacks are illegal - Ars Technica

[EclipseModz]

Quote: Originally Posted by SiK GambleR

same way selling mod chips or installing them isn't illegal cause there not being sold with illegal intent, using them for illegal intent is.

You can say that you have no responsibility to what they do with their modded console. But you still gave it the ability to pirate things. You gave it the ability to bypass the original design of not booting pirated games. All for a profit. It is illegal to do so.

[Stryk3rX5]

Quote:

If you've simply modified a console, it's a civil matter. For criminal charges to be brought against you, you had to have willfully and purposefully modded the systems to play pirated games, and profited from the work.

that comes from the article about that guy. basically stating that if you just mod its nothing, maybe at most a slap on the wrist depending on what your doing.

but it becomes bad when u mod to play Pirated (Downloaded) games, and make money out of it.

[ahaloa]

Quote: Originally Posted by Stryk3rX5

that comes from the article about that guy. basically stating that if you just mod its nothing, maybe at most a slap on the wrist depending on what your doing.

but it becomes bad when u mod to play Pirated (Downloaded) games, and make money out of it.

i thought i said to everyone im not going to play pirated games or pirate games earlier. i told everyone im don't plan on that why does everyone keep telling me thats illegal when i know that is. Stryk3rX5 i see it says civil matters could happen but its highly unlikely to happen. could they charge me if i videotape halomods i make and put them on youtube. im just 16 so i dont know much about the legal stuff for this. i do know how to program so i thought it would be fun to make stuff in halo.

[jdcx95]

I'm pretty sure accepting the ToS is a legally binding agreement and by breaking it you break the law.