In case you don’t feel like checking your email, here it is:

Things are getting smelly in the PS3 scene as the “war” between Sony and Hackers are heating up…quickly. Sony rolled out an updated TOS today for PSN forcing you to agree to the new TOS if you wish to still connect to PSN. The new updates mainly say that Sony has the right to “spy” on what you are doing on your PS3 and have officially banned the use of anything on your PS3 (i.e homebrew) not licensed by Sony, threatening with a ban.

To quote the change of TOS:

You agree that you will not use any unauthorized hardware, including peripherals not sold or licensed by a Sony company such as, by way of example only, non-licensed game enhancement devices, controllers, adaptors and power supply devices (collectively, “Non-Licensed Peripherals”) or software to access or use Sony Online Services or any content or service provided on or through Sony Online Services.

Sony is serious about banning, so the threat now is more real than before, be warned that using any PSN bypass methods are at your own risk and you run a high risk (currently) of being banned (no bypass for bans yet). We also recommend everyone to remove the credit card details from your PSN account, more details why HERE.You can view the full PSN TOS here.

What are your thoughts on this? Will you be accepting the new TOS to stay on PSN? Let us know via comments below.

Just tried to connect my JB console to the psn and got a new TOS that popped up ???

Also recently beatdowniidx tweeted the TOS, which was also retweeted by Mathieulh, here is the full TOS:

(more…)

Sony released their FW 3.30 yesterday, and today they also updated their ToS.
Their seems to be rumors flying around (mainly by an unnamed site) that in the new terms of service, Sony has implemented a rule that allows them to conduct automatic firmware updates. We believe this is not true, why? Because its actually been in their terms of service since 2008, the only thing that was done was some rewording. I have provided a comparison of the 2008 version and 2010 version that has been causing confusion:

2008:
11. MAINTENANCE AND UPGRADES

From time to time, it may become necessary for SCEA to provide certain content or services to you to ensure that PSN, content or services offered through PSN, your PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system or other SCEA-authorized hardware is functioning properly in accordance with SCEA guidelines. Some content or services may be provided automatically without notice when you sign into PSN. Such content or service may include automatic updates or upgrades which may change your current operating system, cause a loss of data or content or cause a loss of functionalities or utilities. Such upgrades or updates may be provided for system software for your PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, or other SCEA-authorized hardware. Access or use to any system software is subject to terms and conditions of a separate end user license agreement found at http://www.us.playstation.com/termsofuse. You authorize SCEA to provide such content and services and agree that SCEA shall not be liable for any damages arising from provision of such content or services or maintenance services. It is recommended that you regularly back up any data located on the hard disk that is of a type that can be backed up.

2010:
11. MAINTENANCE AND UPGRADES

From time to time, it may become necessary for SCEA to provide certain content to you to ensure that Sony Online Services and content offered through Sony Online Services, your PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system or other SCEA-authorized hardware is functioning properly in accordance with SCEA guidelines. Some content may be provided automatically without notice when you sign in. Such content may include automatic updates or upgrades which may change your current operating system, cause a loss of data or content or cause a loss of functionalities or utilities. Such upgrades or updates may be provided for system software for your PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system, or other SCEA-authorized hardware. Access or use to any system software is subject to terms and conditions of a separate end user license agreement found at http://www.us.playstation.com/termsofuse. You authorize SCEA to provide such content and agree that SCEA shall not be liable for any damages, loss of data or loss of functionalities arising from provision of such content or maintenance services. It is recommended that you regularly back up any archivable data located on the hard disk.

Source: scroll down to section 11 of Version 3.0 (July 15, 2008)

Section 11 of The 2010 TOS