Sony Kicked in the Chips – Latest AU Mod Swing

As you’ll probably be aware, there have been ongoing legal wranglings in the land of crying cricket players and racism for some time now between Sony Computer Entertainment and various companies involved in the supply, distribution and installation of PlayStation 2 modchips.

The High Court in Sydney adjudicated a test case this morning which saw something of a David and Goliath-style pebble deposited in the bit above the bridge of the nose of the electronics giant. David, played by Eddy Stevens, took up his sling, played by a soldering iron, and fired a killer rock, played by a modchip, squarely into the bit above the bridge of Goliath's nose, played by Sony.

The court ruled that Stevens had done nothing wrong in fitting and supplying modchips as they enable users to play imports and games from other regions.

We contacted Sony this morning for a comment, to be told, “We are looking at the implications of the judgement ruled for this case and are not making any further comments at this present moment.” We also asked if Sony thought the region-lock argument masks the fact that people will use modchips for piracy, to which Sony offered, “...no additional comment.”

Stevens’ lawyer, Nathan Mattock, said the ruling would allow Australian consumers to buy lower price imported titles and play them on their Australian-bought PlayStation consoles. "It's a victory for consumers, but also business people as well," he said in a statement to The Associated Press. "It will likely increase competition in the market and possibly reduce prices in the market for gaming."

We’ll let you know if this case impacts on other regions as and when court cases flare.