PlayStation 3 pirates to score lifetime bans

PlayStation 3 consoles hosting pirated games enabled by unauthorised custom software will find themselves cut off from the PlayStation Network.

Responding to the release of new custom firmware enabling game piracy, Sony issued a consumer alert warning of impending ban hammers.

"Unauthorized software for the PlayStation 3 system was recently released by hackers. Use of such software violates the terms of the System Software License Agreement for the PlayStation 3 System and the Terms of Services and User Agreement for the PlayStation Network/Sony Entertainment Network and its Community Code of Conduct provisions," the platform holder said.

"Violation of the System Software License Agreement for the PlayStation 3 system invalidates the consumer's right to access that system. Consumers running unauthorized or pirated software may have their access to the PlayStation Network and access to Sony Entertainment Network services through PlayStation 3 system terminated permanently."

To avoid a permanent hardware ban, Sony advises users immediately delete any and all unauthorised or pirated software from the console, or "risk having access to the PlayStation Network and access to Sony Entertainment Network services terminated permanently".

The newly-released custom firmware allowed users to skip over security upgrades issued in official firmware releases, which are frequently required for continued access to the PlayStation Network.

Thanks, Eurogamer.