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Comment by mycroftiv | Hacker News Reader

So, let's see if we can summarize the story in broad outline. Sony releases the PS3 with the included functionality of installing an alternate operating system. Users purchase PS3s with this ability. Sony changes its mind about the benefits of this feature and removes it via a software update. Users take steps to regain the full functionality of the devices they purchased. Sony sues the users for this action.

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I'm waiting for the inevitable case of gun manufacturers suing their customers for firing their guns. I believe it's inevitable.

That's not really a fair comparison, especially considering the level of discussion the DMCA goes into when covering what is considered fair use and what sorts of reverse engineering is prohibited. It'd be more like a gun manufacturer suing because someone turned their gun into an automatic rifle (jailbreak). And then spread instructions on how to do it (homebrew). And then a bunch of people held up grocery stores (piracy).

Not much better. Modifying a gun to turn it into a weapon means you are taking a legal weapon and turning it into something illegal.

The import and creation of automatic weapons in the US is restricted to law enforcement and military. Mere POSSESSION of an unregistered automatic weapon is a felony offense. The two cases are completely unrelated.

Jailbreaking a PS3 is equivalent to jailbreaking a phone, with the possible exception that doing so may be a violation of DMCA, since it theoretically enables the copying of DVD/BDVD/games.

A better comparison would be suing customers for modifying the guns. I remember I saw a documentary once where a company was sued because it sold (I believe) handguns that were easily modifiable to be fully automatic

If you buy hardware, you should own that hardware and be able to do with it as you please.

Replace 'hardware' with 'anything' and I'd probably still agree with you.

"Whoa there buddy, you made your own gravy for that chicken? I don't think so, you have to buy our gravy for your delicious dinner."

But what if that gravy you made is so healthy and flavorful that it gives you the energy to go on a murder rampage? Clearly being able to make your own gravy is facilitating crime, and must be prohibited.

That's not true for lots of consumer products available for sale.

It's also not true for most hardware, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be true. I can be hopelessly optimistic with my blanket statements.

Yes. But if you want to continue "support" or receive official updates then you're subject to the whims of the manufacturer/provider. And don't expect them to make it easy for you to do what you will.

Perhaps the legal principle of "two wrongs don't make a right" applies here.

i wonder if anyone has tried returning their ps3 for a full refund, claiming it stopped working

Yes, people have and received partial refunding from Amazon *, and people have also tried suing Sony as well in Europe.

http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/consoles/amazon-s-plays...

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