A temporary restraining order has been granted to Sony against George Hotz, the infamous computer hack who illegally hacked the Sony PlayStation 3.  Hotz has infamously developed a method for jailbreaking both the iPhone and the PS3.   The jailbreak method enables others to install unauthorized operating systems and “home-brew” software.  The restraining order will prohibit Hotz from publishing his findings about the PS3 jailbreak, and he is being forced to relinquish his computer equipment to Sony within a ten day window.

Sony proved to the judge that Hotz actions will cause them irreparable harm in his violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and that his actions must be curtailed. The courts stated that the injunction is in the best interest of the public.  Hotz not only hacked the PS3 using his jailbreak method, but he also posted instructions and links on his website for others to do the same.

Hotz encouragement and enabling for users to download the illegal jailbreak method was significantly frowned upon by the judge.  Hotz plans to file a motion to dismiss based on a challenge that the court does not have jurisdiction over him.  The court feels that the fact that Hotz purposefully directed his activities to California residents makes the case accountable to the California court system.

Hotz also claims that he only hacked the PS3 to reactivate a function that Sony has removed from the PlayStation 3.  Uh ya Hotz, that doesn’t make it right.  Nope.  No free pass for misguided intentions.    Despite the fact that Hotz clearly acted illegally, he has quite a support base among gamers, who feel that his rights are being infringed upon with the restraining order.  We all know that the information that Hotz attempted to pass on will never be eradicated, and it will be up to Sony to come up with a workaround to combat the hack vulnerability.

Source:  ITProPortal.com