U.S. raids firms, homes for chips
From Times Staff and Wire Reports
Federal customs agents raided more than 30 businesses and homes, looking for devices that allow pirated video games to be played on Sony’s PlayStation 2, Microsoft’s Xbox and Xbox 360 and Nintendo’s Wii.
The alleged sale and distribution of illegal modification chips and copyright circumvention devices for those consoles and others included 32 search warrants in 16 states, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said.
The agency declined to release the names of those targeted but alleged that they were responsible for importing, installing, selling and distributing foreign-made devices smuggled into the U.S.
Illegal chips and other devices used on gaming consoles violate the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998.
