Well it appears Sony donesn't want us Hacking, GTA IV or the entire PS3 console.
They are threatening to take legal action for anyone who hacks to make expliots, or to run any homebrew application it looks like.

Following reports that hackers have cracked PlayStation 3's anti-piracy software, SCEA has declared that it will "aggressively pursue" anyone caught engaging in such activity with legal action.

"Unfortunately, hackers will try to exploit any hardware system software," SCEA spokesperson Dave Karraker told GamesIndustry.biz.

"The best we can do as a company is to make our security that much stronger and aggressively pursue legal action against anyone caught trying to use an exploit in an illegal manner."

As reported by CVG.com, hackers have cracked PS3 firmware versions 1.10 and 1.11 - thereby forcing the console to boot illegal copies of games.

Booting games and playing them are two different things, however; so far, hackers have not been able to get any of the copied games to run, nor have they been able to run homebrew software.

Every hardware launch brings with it a race for hackers to defeat the system's protections, whether for the technological challenge, to run copied software, or to allow for homebrew games.

Despite Sony's attempts to prevent its emergence, the PSP has a strong homebrew community - and hackers are doubtless hoping to establish a similar base for PS3.

If legal consequences are not a deterrent, there are other risks involved. Like Microsoft, which has banned some modded Xbox 360 consoles from Xbox LIVE, Sony could easily stop PS3 units from accessing the PlayStation network. Hackers also risk bricking their consoles.

"Naturally, any use of an exploit on the system software does void the warranty on the PS3 system... Which could be a costly mistake to see if you can run an old SEGA CD game on it," said Karraker.

My point is if I've spent almost 800 dollars for a console I will get the most out of it. I see nothing wrong with a cheatdevice. The illegal distrubution on games I do see a massive issue with that. But, I don't do that so. Edison ( we're he's missing) hmm makes me wonder.

Source:

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=25750


also :

DarK-ALeX is leaving the scene , looks like Sony scared him to.
(I'm told DarK-ALeX Found that Sony in the last release of a Firmware put in a ISO loader and a Prx :ph43r: )

Bye, scene.

I've decided to cease OE development, and leave PSP scene.
The reasons are various.
One of them is the time it consumes, which i'm losing from other things.
The other is related to my security. I didn't like Sony menaces to PS3 hackers.
I think it is better to leave now rather than end paying the consequences.

SOURCE: http://www.dark-alex.org/

:unsure: B...b..b..but i NEED 3.5 OE!

Damn idiot people who wont pay for their games, stops the rest of us from having a little innocent fun. Oh well, maybe it wont be a full ban on Homebrew, just Illegal copied games (if thats possible)

I hope it's just illegal games. I see no reason to punish us for hacking a game to make it better for our selfs. We bought it we should be able to do whatever we want with it.I'm also worryed about Edison with the Cheatdevice for IV if there going to take legal action it won't be possible :(

( It doesn't suprise me in the least of a bit that Sony might have sent DarK_AleX a Letter of some sort in that last firmware. That ISO loader and PRX would be enough to say hello to me ) sese sese sese sese sese sese

But Consider This :D

"The best we can do as a company is to make our security that much stronger and aggressively pursue legal action against anyone caught trying to use an exploit in an illegal manner."

It's not Illegal as of now to hack a game and make a CD :)

yes its true "DARK ALEX" has left the homebrew scene and i mean "DARK ALEX"

^_^

sony is braking that law about free speech cuz hacking hacking is a form of speech

I, Honestly think they cannot do it. I mean we bought the fucking console gave them money now if we want to get the most of game play we should be able to. They make me really mad sometimes , we're not children we don't need restrictions. It just doesn't make sence we gave them cash and they gave us software and a console. I know we're hacking there software but still there is something not cosure about it all... And yes Hacking is a form of Speech.

im sure sony wont be stopping homebrew as such and if they do start to target homebrew someone should go to court because sony is just using that to scare theyve got no legal leg to stand on and in the end will have to pay you for the court costs but then you hvae to have money in the start to do it but youd get yours back