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Is modifying your Wii Illegal?
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attackdog
Newbie
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11. March 2010 @ 16:17 |
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Hi all. I am curious about the legalities of useing persay, a modchip in your Wii so you can play your backup games? I did a search here and on Google and got mixed messages. Some say it is legal, some say it is not legal. I realize it isn't legal to rent and burn games for your own use due to the copywrite laws from the game creator. There are alot of people that would like to mod there Wii so they can play there backups, or have someone mod it for them but the legal issue still is there. I am in the US and know that laws may differ from country to country. Thanks for any thoughts.
-Dean
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AfterDawn Addict
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11. March 2010 @ 19:23 |
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You own the equipment, you can do whatever you want with it.
Now, there are several adjunct discussions that traverse some very slippery slopes, which are probably what you are REALLY asking about.
However, to directly answer your direct questions, modifying your Wii in and of itself is NOT illegal.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 12. March 2010 @ 09:05
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gambleboy
Junior Member
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12. March 2010 @ 03:10 |
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I don't think it's illegal, but it certainly breaches your warranty. So if you brick it yourself or it stops working on its own merits, sending it to be repaired will leave you with all the costs of fixing it yourself. Even for softmods if they see what has been done to it.
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FebapLiew
Suspended permanently
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17. March 2010 @ 10:32 |
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spam edited by ddp
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 17. March 2010 @ 21:49
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AfterDawn Addict
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17. March 2010 @ 23:54 |
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It is illegal to circumvent copy protection with software or hardware under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) in the USA. Europe has a similar bill as well. So yes it is illegal to mod your system (even if you own the game).
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 17. March 2010 @ 23:56
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Member
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11. April 2010 @ 21:34 |
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modifying any game console is NOT illegal... but if you download a game that you do not own and put it in/on the hdd and play it then yes. since you modified your system for 1 thing and 1 thing mainly... to play pirated games.
but like the rest said.. actually modding your wii.ps3/xbox360 is not illegal..
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12137
Senior Member
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11. April 2010 @ 23:03 |
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Nintendo state in all PAL Game Manuals for Wii & Gamecube:
"This Nintendo Game is not designed for use with any unauthorized device. Use of any such device will invalidate your Nintendo product warranty. Copying of any Nintendo game is illegal & is strictly prohibited by domestic & international intellectual property laws. "Backup or Archival" copies are not authorized and are not necessary to protect your software"
Nintendo say that not even backup copy of what you own is okay. You have to spend another $80 buying it again.
Modding only becomes illegal when you do it for the wrong reasons, like deliberately pirating games, selling them, & making Nintendo's money. For example, in Australia a few months ago, A guy was sued $150,000 AUD by Nintendo for property damage & loss after he made the New Super Mario Bros. Wii game available to download in Australia before it's official release.
If you do it for the right reasons, It should be legal.
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AfterDawn Addict
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12. April 2010 @ 18:58 |
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Originally posted by 1nsan3:
modifying any game console is NOT illegal... but if you download a game that you do not own and put it in/on the hdd and play it then yes. since you modified your system for 1 thing and 1 thing mainly... to play pirated games.
but like the rest said.. actually modding your wii.ps3/xbox360 is not illegal..
It depends what type of mod it is.
Modifying the case/controllers etc. is legal.
Modifying to circumvent copy protection no matter the reason (to play a backup or pirated game) is illegal.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 12. April 2010 @ 19:07
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Senior Member
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13. April 2010 @ 04:38 |
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Originally posted by larrylje:
Originally posted by 1nsan3:
modifying any game console is NOT illegal... but if you download a game that you do not own and put it in/on the hdd and play it then yes. since you modified your system for 1 thing and 1 thing mainly... to play pirated games.
but like the rest said.. actually modding your wii.ps3/xbox360 is not illegal..
It depends what type of mod it is.
Modifying the case/controllers etc. is legal.
Modifying to circumvent copy protection no matter the reason (to play a backup or pirated game) is illegal.
Well luckily for us in Europe - we have the French!!
Last month a French court ruled that Nintendo could not block their consoles from being used for Homebrew (it was all about DS flashcarts) The French court ruled them legal and that Nintendo must allow homebrew programs to be run on their consoles. So that means that you we can add the homebrew channel and a USB drive for homebrew etc. Pirate copies of games are still illegal. But the act of modifying your own console is not.
Don't you just love the French!
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Member
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13. April 2010 @ 18:15 |
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Originally posted by larrylje:
Originally posted by 1nsan3:
modifying any game console is NOT illegal... but if you download a game that you do not own and put it in/on the hdd and play it then yes. since you modified your system for 1 thing and 1 thing mainly... to play pirated games.
but like the rest said.. actually modding your wii.ps3/xbox360 is not illegal..
It depends what type of mod it is.
Modifying the case/controllers etc. is legal.
Modifying to circumvent copy protection no matter the reason (to play a backup or pirated game) is illegal.
if your running backups or pirates it is illegal but running homebrew or even emulators is not. If you modify to get by copy protection and never play a pirate game or back up then it is not illegal.
Mods are like games.....GO BIG OR GO HOME!!
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