By Alexander Villafania
INQUIRER.NET

Modifying the inner components of gaming consoles to play bootlegged video games led to the arrest of a student from Cal State Fullerton.

The NBC Los Angeles NBC Log Angeles reported that Matthew Lloyd Crippen was arrested at his home by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents for modifying Microsoft Xbox, Sony PlayStation, and Nintendo Wii.

He was indicted on two counts of violating the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act, according to the report from ICE.

ICE also said that piracy has grown in the US in recent years. Losses to the US economy as estimated to be around US$250 billion a year.

Modifying or “modding” of game consoles is a huge business in the Philippines. The purpose is to have the console play pirated games, some of which cost less than P100 (approximately US$2).

The Philippines has no law similar law to the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act to prosecute those who modify equipment. However, law enforcers in the Philippines use copyright laws against distribution and selling of illegal software, as well as movies and music.