Is custom firmware illegal?

[MicroNut]

This is how it should be.

However, the stereotype of us "hackers" is that we're evil and crap. So, the public's conception is that modding is illegal.

I agree.
Language is very important.
It helps to determine intent and define principle.

The term "Hacker" in it purest historical sense is a compliment in the world of computing.
However, the general public uses it to describe anything from a poor authors to thieves.

To complicate things even more the moral aspects of ISO Backups, Homebrew and Intellectual Property rights run together like spaghetti.

[mike_jmg]

Is a hammer illegal?
It all comes down to what you use it for.

yup

[bah]

....The term "Hacker" in it purest historical sense is a compliment in the world of computing.
However, the general public uses it to describe anything from a poor authors to thieves.

To complicate things even more the moral aspects of ISO Backups, Homebrew and Intellectual Property rights run together like spaghetti.

Eloquently put.