Analysts: Sony 'Used Games Ban' Tech may Still Be Utilised for PS3

[Black Dragon37]

Would Sony effectively ban used games by making it impossible to play them on the PS3? It's not likely, but analysts believe that this patented technology could still be considered in some form as a way to deter games piracy and to protect other entertainment downloaded to the PS3.

 

[slider]

Surely, as fine upstanding and law-abiding individuals, "a way to deter games piracy and to protect other entertainment downloaded" isn't something we could make a rational/moral argument against though!

That McNealy chap doesn't seem a very upbeat character (I'm thinking specifically of his thoughts about the manufacturing costs for PS3). I'm gonna have a dig around for some other quotes of his.

Seeing as the logical assumption is that Sony will try to make a significant income from downloads (music, maybe films, add-ons to games etc.) with their version of Live! I don't think that bit I've quoted above is surprising. Reading the article about how "protected" discs would work I do see how it's directly applicable to downloaded content (of course "keys" and stuff will restrict where you can use your downloaded content). Maybe someone more savvy can expand on this...

 

[patsu]

If true, I would say "No !" to Sony.

The technology is not evil, it's how people use it that matters. Said technology can also force retailers to keep the devs, publishers and Sony in the money loop for used game sales. In general, I'm of the opinion that it's good for the game industry if used that way. The consumers may or may not see an increase in used game price (hopefully not big or we will make noise. I like 20 dollars used games ).

The other possibility is defense... in case things go really bad in digital distribution (rogue users, retailers, ex-staff, competitors, ... ?). I doubt they will need it but we shall see how bad the world is.

On the other hand, I think transfer of ownership between users is Fair Use (without a 3rd party to facilitate it). I hate it when I cannot dedicate/buy a song to/for a friend in iTunes. You have to buy an iTunes gift card and it's so er... void of spirit. I want her to listen to my song, damn it. And it's worth more than your precious US$0.99, Apple.

 

[Guden Oden]

They CAN'T employ any tech like this, for any number of reasons. Some are (but not limited to) -

A: a user may lack internet access, making it impossible to 'register' a game disc in any meaningful fashion.

B: one PS3 console might have to be replaced by another for any number of reasons. Demanding that the user throws away an entire software library and re-purchases it again is totally unreasonable.

C: a person might want to take their games over to a friend's place. There's no reason Sony should want to take any affront to this whatsoever, quite the opposite. If the friend likes the game, it could result in another sale. Therefore, if the games won't work on the friend's system, well, that's a missed sales opportunity.

 

[Npl]

Sure, for that alone they will add writing capabilities to their already expense BD-Rom Drive

 

[patsu]

I have to admit I didn't read the patent, but my position in "fair use" still stand.

If the DRM system is not tied to the user identity (some does !), then can they burn the id into BD-ROM and then the protected content are follow-up episodes ? I mean can it be used this way ? So whoever carries that BD-ROM is the owner... and episodes are tied to PS3 hardware (so new owner has to buy new episodes).

Just shooting blindly. I'm too tired from work now. Need... sleep.

EDIT: Yeah Guden, this would be a digital distribution play (so online is needed for the additional episodes, and also as a way to entice "renters" to buy the games after trying out). I'm asking based on the good points raised in the last 2 posts. Is Sony's technology flexible enough to do it (I'm assuming you've read it in detail).

 

[SPM]

They CAN'T employ any tech like this, for any number of reasons. Some are (but not limited to) -

A: a user may lack internet access, making it impossible to 'register' a game disc in any meaningful fashion.

B: one PS3 console might have to be replaced by another for any number of reasons. Demanding that the user throws away an entire software library and re-purchases it again is totally unreasonable.

C: a person might want to take their games over to a friend's place. There's no reason Sony should want to take any affront to this whatsoever, quite the opposite. If the friend likes the game, it could result in another sale. Therefore, if the games won't work on the friend's system, well, that's a missed sales opportunity.

It would also fall foul of consumer rights laws in many countries.

 

[Rolf N]

*crunch*
*click*


That was the sound of my Fud-O-Meter breaking. The needle broke off as it hit the far end of the scale too hard, too often.
Seriously. There are a number of threads here that are ... suspect. It's become remarkable easy to get a discussion going on these boards on whatever topic, on whatever merit.

 

[StefanS]

Somebody from Sony should explain to me why buying second hand games is illegal. Anyway, if they're implementing and using this technology, I forsee, some major law-suits going on because I am sure that is against consumer laws here in Europe.

 

[Powderkeg]

Some people should spend 30 seconds reading the actual patent before believing some silly story about it.


This RUMOR is technically IMPOSSIBLE on the PS3. Why?

The tech in question requires that a security key be written to the disk, attaching it to a single drive. This is only possible if 2 things are true.

#1. The PS3 would have to be equipped with a Bluray BURNER.

#2. All PS3 games would have to be sold on rewritable disks, allowing the PS3 to burn the security key to the game disk.



Now, all of those people who actually think Sony will ship the PS3 with a Bluray Burner, and all PS3 games will be on rewritable disks, raise your hands.

 

[Guden Oden]

Somebody from Sony should explain to me why buying second hand games is illegal.

Maybe you should have Nintendo explain you that instead, because they actually fought for - and got implemented! - such a protective law in Japan that banned resales of used games.

AFAIK, Sony has done nothing to combat the 2nd hand market, unless you count filing for a patent that most likely will never see use in real life for an incredible amount of reasons.

 

[Powderkeg]

AFAIK, Sony has done nothing to combat the 2nd hand market, unless you count filing for a patent that most likely will never see use in real life for an incredible amount of reasons.

I can almost guarantee you that the tech in the patent WILL be used.

But read my above response to the limitations of the use. It allows a BURNER to burn a key to a disk, locking the disk to that specific drive. Clearly this isn't a feature that would, or even could be used on disks sold at retail, such as movies or games, but it would be extremely usefull for the purpose for which it was intended, which is the ability for a private or corporate user to create a secure data disk for their own use.

 

[ihamoitc2005]

Burner

Some people should spend 30 seconds reading the actual patent before believing some silly story about it.


This RUMOR is technically IMPOSSIBLE on the PS3. Why?

The tech in question requires that a security key be written to the disk, attaching it to a single drive. This is only possible if 2 things are true.

#1. The PS3 would have to be equipped with a Bluray BURNER.

#2. All PS3 games would have to be sold on rewritable disks, allowing the PS3 to burn the security key to the game disk.



Now, all of those people who actually think Sony will ship the PS3 with a Bluray Burner, and all PS3 games will be on rewritable disks, raise your hands.

Maybe like original Xbox which has DVD player but you must buy remote to have DVD playback, PS3 can have (I am not saying this is true!) burner and Sony makes you buy extra "software upgrade disc" to "install" burner driver. I do not say this is true but it is possible to do this.

 

[scooby_dooby]

Maybe like original Xbox which has DVD player but you must buy remote to have DVD playback, PS3 can have (I am not saying this is true!) burner and Sony makes you buy extra "software upgrade disc" to "install" burner driver. I do not say this is true but it is possible to do this.

doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell

 

[ihamoitc2005]

Future

doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell

Anything is possible my friend. But is not very likely. I will prefer no "used games ban" and Blu-Ray reader than Blu-Ray writer and "used games ban". But if I can have Blu-Ray writer and no "used games ban" that is best. Kutaragi already says Blu-Ray writer is possible but not so likely.

 

[Bobbler]

Anything is possible my friend. But is not very likely. I will prefer no "used games ban" and Blu-Ray reader than Blu-Ray writer and "used games ban". But if I can have Blu-Ray writer and no "used games ban" that is best. Kutaragi already says Blu-Ray writer is possible but not so likely.

Not only is it not likely, it's not feasible by any means and doesn't really benefit Sony in any way. It's about as likely as scooby becoming president of the USA in the next 10 years. It's possible, by some weird flow of events, I'm sure, but it isn't something I would consider putting any thought into happening. =p

 

[ihamoitc2005]

President

Not only is it not likely, it's not feasible by any means and doesn't really benefit Sony in any way. It's about as likely as scooby becoming president of the USA in the next 10 years. It's possible, by some weird flow of events, I'm sure, but it isn't something I would consider putting any thought into happening. =p

I dont know my friend, I think I will vote for him.

 

[SPM]

Not only is it not likely, it's not feasible by any means and doesn't really benefit Sony in any way. It's about as likely as scooby becoming president of the USA in the next 10 years. It's possible, by some weird flow of events, I'm sure, but it isn't something I would consider putting any thought into happening. =p

Just plug a USB DVD burner or a USB BD/HD-DVD burner into the USB port.

 

[cthellis42]

It's true!

They also plan on banning any internet use through your router aside from PS3 usage if you have one connected, need to be welded into your TV's video in ports so you cannot remove it, and requires the purchase of a new game every time you want to turn the console on.

(At least they're being reasonable and not requiring that last one in the case of a momentary brown out.)

 

[Docwiz]

You don't have to have a Blu-ray burner for this to work

You can't write to the hard drive and check the keys from the hard drive?
What about the online service? You can't check there either for the keys.

With Microsoft's DRM software, you install the software on a server
and you modify code to do what you need to do when keys are met and when they are not.

It contacts the Server and the key in the software has to be found in a database on a server and it then can be verified that the key is in use for that specific console.

This very well could happen and this is like the third or fourth time it has come up on different websites. Last time it was dailyradar and everyone said that they are biased against Sony (blah blah blah).

I think a lot of people on this forum loves sony as Sony's crowd is mainly the crowd on these forums (hard core playstation biased gamers and highend audio/video enthusiasts and think anything negative about Sony is FUD).

This is not real yet, but I don't think it is FUD from anyone. Michael patcher has been very positive about Sony before and even he thinks that they are playing with the idea.