(Australia) Modchippers Under Fire with New Law

[wraggster]

Users of modchipped videogame consoles could face fines of up to AU$6600 under new laws being put in place by the Australian Federal Government, a news alert from law firm Minter Ellison says. Those who distribute or offer modchipped devices could face fines of up to AU$60,500 and/or up to five years in jail.

The new laws, which are being put in place to comply with Australia's obligations under the Australia United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA), will be in effect from 1 January 2007. A draft of the legislation was released for public comment earlier this week. According to the Minter Ellison statement, the "AUSFTA requires Australia to prohibit the use of devices and services to circumvent technological protection measures (TPM)".

Some exemptions to the law will be put in place, including for those doing computer security testing, law enforcement and library use.

[Video_freak]

Australia was supposed to be the mid chip country...

[skater9269]

wtf what if you use it for homebrew

[GobboFett]

Jeez, I live in Australia and the Mod Chip "Laws" keep changing like the seasons. First it was illegal, then it wasn't, then it was again, then it wasn't again and NOW it is illegal again?! Holy christ Why don't I just go live in Mexico, everything is legal there

[opiate81]

you could still softmod your consoles though
and stick with the trusty 1.5 psp
I think it will hurt us in a few years though

[ACID]

I dont think it would hurt keeping the psp 1.50 in a few years. The coders will progress as sony does its thing.