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Customized PlayStations Allowed in Australia

Customizing Sony PlayStation consoles, according to a recent ruling by the High Court of Australia, for playing overseas versions or copies of games does not violate Australian copyright laws. Sydney retailer Eddy Stevens, who fought a legal battle with consumer electronics manufacturer Sony Corp., is celebrating his victory. He tailor-made Australian manufactured PlayStation consoles for customers so that they could play more inexpensive versions of games from abroad.

Sony has sued Stevens, as he sold PlayStations with modified chips. He actually got rid of the regional coding blocks capable of preventing machine from playing imported or copied games. The company claims Stevens has violated its copyright by dodging encrypted access codes aimed at protecting copyright.

`There is no copyright reason why the purchaser should not be entitled to copy the CD-ROM and modify the console in such a way as to enjoy his or her lawfully acquired property without inhibition,` Reuters quoted the court as saying. `Sony sought to impose restrictions on the ordinary rights of owners, respectively of the CD-ROMs and consoles, beyond those relevant to any copyright infringements.`

`This is a hell of a victory for the consumer - that`s why we did it,` Reuters quoted Stevens as saying to Australian television. The court criticizes Sony by saying that the different access codes in PlayStations curb the rights of consumers and limit global market competition.