Large-Scale ICE Action Against Counterfeit Gaming Components
In what ICE is touting as the largest national enforcement action targeting electronics counterfeiting, ICE agents executed 32 federal search warrants in 16 states last week, raiding businesses and residences suspected of involvement in the importation, sale distribution and installation of illegal modification chips for gaming consoles. The counterfeit components and software targeted by the investigation are used to circumvent IP protections and allow users to play pirated or illegally obtained video games on Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo gaming consoles.
Unfortunately, the chips also have perfectly legitimate uses. They allow their owners to create and use backups of their games, as well as impressive extensions of the capabilities of these game consoles.
IMHO, anti-counterfeit actions should be focused on actual pirated games. This is like seizing DVD burners because they can be used to create illegal copies.