A loophole that made it possible for PS3 users to run software which enables pirated games to be played on the PlayStation 3 console has been blocked by Sony. The new firmware update, released by Sony, blocks the commercial dongle – PSJailbreak (which allowed users to play pirated software) and PSGroove applications. While the use of the software patches could be seen as a new approach, it comes after Sony won a court order banning the distribution of PSJailbreak dongle, in early September.
Although Sony continues to use the legal approach via court injunctions as typified in a recent battle with PS3 hackers i.e. the filing of a US lawsuit against Zoomba – a firm that runs a Website selling the device, the release of software security patches that can block the hacks appear to be the best solution. However, one of the PSGroove developers was quoted by the BBC as saying that it was safer not to update if users wished to continue using the PSJailbreak hacks. This suggests that the battle has not been won yet thus whether this latest move to protect the intellectual content provided on the PlayStation 3 will be successful or not, is anyone’s guess.
Talking Point
Can Sony win the battle against PS3 jailbreaks?