[PS3] Sony patents tech to block second-hand games

[Handleit_44]

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-01-03-sony-patents-tech-to-block-use-of-second-hand-games

Sony's PlayStation division has patented technology that can block the use of second hand games on a console.

The idea sees individual game discs matched to user accounts. Games which have been associated with another user's account will be rejected.

Discs would come branded with a contactless tag which would be recognised and read by your console, using the same sort of NFC technology present in modern bank cards.

The documentation goes into detail about Sony's desire and past efforts to "suppress" second hand game sales, and notes that the technology is a neat alternative to a simple password or Online Pass solution.

"Where the reproduction device [console] is not connected to the internet, use of the content cannot be controlled," the text states. As for a simple passcode feature, "users may communicate to share the password between them and therefore the second-hand sales and purchases cannot be eliminated reliably."

Sony aims for its new technology to be able to change that.

"As a result [of the patented idea], the dealing of electronic content in second-hand markets is suppressed, which in turn supports the redistribution of part of proceeds from sales of the electronic content to the developers."

Later sections of the patent describe how the technology could be variously used to temporarily grant access or limit the number of uses for a piece of software. There's even suggestion that the technology could be expanded to gaming peripherals, accessories and other electronic media entirely, "such as an office suite, images, and music content".

 

[Villain]

Au revoir, Gamestop.

 

[MVPete]

These guys are going to get stomped by MS in the next battle too.

 

[TeflonDonny]

Sony was looking into this before the PS3 was released.

 

[jms493]

no way Jose...

So I cant borrow games from friends anymore...please!

 

[Swarley]

I'm sure this will end well for Sony lol.

 

[Swarley]

Au revoir, Gamestop.

And GameFly.

 

[PepperNY]

I'm already leaning towards getting the Next Xbox over the next Playstation because of Xbox Live and this news pushes me even further in that direction.

It's a shame because I enjoy all the Sony exclusives. I guess we will wait and see if Microsoft follows Sony's lead

 

[Glenbino]

That last paragraph is scary...

Sent from my LG-P999 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Atlas]

so will twigg start referring to them as Play$tation, P$N and P$4?
:dd:

 

[jms493]

Wont affect twiggles...he doesnt buy used...plus he is moving towards download only...even though he said he would not buy a next gen console if it was download only.

 

[BigBucs]

This shit is ridiculous.

 

[BrntO4Life]

even though he said he would not buy a next gen console if it was download only.

:yao:

Games could be scratch-and-sniff only and Twigg wouldn't be able to break his addiction.

 

[JimLeavy59]

Fuck Sony.

 

[jms493]

I still dont believe this will happen.

 

[JeremyHight]

I see them using this technology to make it so rentals or used games have some content blocked until a purchase is made online. Seems like a stupid thing, but if they even get an extra 5 bucks per resale or rental, that ends up being an amazing amount since they really don't make as much on game sales as we'd expect.

 

[Swarley]

I see them using this technology to make it so rentals or used games have some content blocked until a purchase is made online. Seems like a stupid thing, but if they even get an extra 5 bucks per resale or rental, that ends up being an amazing amount since they really don't make as much on game sales as we'd expect.

While I can definitely see them doing that, that would piss so many people off. I mean shit, most publishers are already charging $10 to get the online pass for used games. Now you're looking at $15-20 on top of your used game purchase. :smh:

 

[SethMode]

One thing I don't understand about this: shouldn't Sony really only be worried about their first party stuff? 3rd party games that appear on both systems already made their money for Sony as a platform. So this is, I guess, just them trying to find a way to push their digital direct day 1 stuff?

I guess I just don't get the rational. You burn more bridges here than you save money.

 

[IamMedellin]

3 months after launch and this thing is hacked making it pointless...

reminds me of when they were taking so long with PS3 bc they were going to make it "unhackable"....

that went well

 

[JeremyHight]

3 months after launch and this thing is hacked making it pointless...

reminds me of when they were taking so long with PS3 bc they were going to make it "unhackable"....

that went well

In comparison to other platforms, the PS3 was about as unhackable as you are going to get in today's age. It took people like 5 years to actually hack the system and copy games. The 360 was hacked within months of launch.