Official Sony statement, and direct emails to users with CFW and HB

[xboxbreaker]

http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/02/16/official-statement-regarding-ps3-circumvention-devices-and-pirated-software/

Notice: Unauthorized circumvention devices for the PlayStation 3 system have been recently released by hackers. These devices permit the use of unauthorized or pirated software. Use of such devices or software violates the terms of the “System Software License Agreement for the PlayStation 3 System” and the “Terms of Services and User Agreement” for the PlayStation Network/Qriocity and its Community Code of Conduct provisions. Violation of the System Software Licence Agreement for the PlayStation 3 System invalidates the consumer guarantee for that system. In addition, copying or playing pirated software is a violation of International Copyright Laws. Consumers using circumvention devices or running unauthorized or pirated software will have access to the PlayStation Network and access to Qriocity services through PlayStation 3 system terminated permanently.

To avoid this, consumers must immediately cease use and remove all circumvention devices and delete all unauthorized or pirated software from their PlayStation 3 systems.

Also reports of an email being sent directly to users who have CFW and Homebrew on their machines:

Notice: Unauthorized circumvention devices for the
PlayStation(R)3 system have been recently released by
hackers for the PlayStation(R)3 system. These devices
permit the use of unauthorized or pirated software.
Use of such devices or software violates the terms
of your "System Software License Agreement for the
PlayStation(R)3 System" and the "Terms of Services
and User Agreement" for the PlayStation(R)Network/
Qriocity(TM) and its Community Code of Conduct provisions.
In addition, copying or playing pirated software is
a violation of International Copyright Laws.
A circumvention device and/or unauthorized or pirated
software currently resides on your PlayStation(R)3 system.
Immediately cease use and remove all circumvention devices
and delete all unauthorized or pirated software from your
PlayStation(R)3 system. Failure to do so will result in
termination of your access to the PlayStation(R)Network
and access to Qriocity(TM) services through your
PlayStation(R)3 system.

I added the bold.

Very direct intervention from Sony. The forums are awash with kids screaming "HELPZ!! HOW DO I REMOVE ALL HAX AND WAREZ!1!1!". What I find interesting is that I have heard that Sony have even sent this to people who have not signed in directly to PSN, but have had the PS3 connected to the internet.

[Coniger12]

The strange part of the first quote is the possibility of Sony seemingly pardoning users if they come clean, but it's not like Sony is giving help to remove said circumvention devices/unauthorized software.

[xboxbreaker]

I don't think they have any obligation to keep their word though, or if they have any intention. I think the total inability to protect PSN has forced them to act. These DNS and certificate workarounds keep popping up. Perhaps they have just done a sweep for users by detecting that connection method, if it is detectable that is.


EDIT: More people are saying they get this mail even though they only used net access, no PSN. PS3 must still talk to Sony servers when not signed in (do you agree to that in T&C?)

[routehero]

Of course it talks to Sony servers when it can route to them.  That's how you get the notices for system updates, PStore updates, etc.   None of which requires a valid PSN account on the system.

[irishwhip]

The only time i signed in to psn was the day I created my profile, other than that, I connected to use the bbc iplayer/itv player occasionally.
I got my warning email yesterday.

[neonpolaris]

None of this is surprising and I don't blame Sony one bit.

[xboxbreaker]

None of this is surprising and I don't blame Sony one bit.

Either do I, I just think the way they are going about it is unusual with a direct warning to remove the content before a ban. Other than that I have been waiting for this sort of action since this whole saga kicked off.