Microsoft has zero tolerance

Terdiman, Daniel://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/11/12/cnet.xbox.live.ban/index.html mircosoft bans 1 million xbox live players

Xbox live has apparently banned roughly one million users for playing a recently released video game “Call of Duty 4.” These Xbox users have violated their terms of agreement by using modded or modified consuls to play pirated games. Microsoft began the implementation of the ban after the release of the game. The ban not only prevents users with their individual gamertag’s from online play for that one game, but the ban prohibits users from the Xbox live service altogether. Some member receive banns ranging from a day or two, up to weeks, and even a lifetime, depending upon which rules were violated. Microsoft says each consul is fitted with protection software that will inform them of any illegal tampering of the consul.

Xbox has really made some strides in terms of technology, and I really think they may have pioneered some things to come. I think it is safe to assume the most pirated media is music, which can be downloaded freely on a vast majority of hosting and downloadable sites. I foresee ipod’s and mp3 players being outfitted soon if not sometime in the future with some type of detection devices that will keep users from syncing copyrighted material to their devices. Xbox is taking a big risk in terms of repeat buyers of the online service. While they may be able to keep the money of those million users for now, in the future it may hurt them a bit when looking at revenue for the company. However, it is the right thing to do when looking at all the copy right laws and I would assume these gaming companies are paying Microsoft far more than the xbox live members contributions