I think the problem is not the posession of the chip, or the installation of a chip into the console, both of which you would be allowed to do.
I think (rightly or wrongly) that the problem comes when you have a chip which allows you to subvert the console's copy protection, being openly marketed as a "backup device", or whatever. Does anyone really belive that these are used for backup?
Now, what I personally think is that if console manufacturers want a copy-protected console, they should replace the media that you have purchased if it stops working, within sensible limits. Obviously you'd have to return the media, not too usefull if your house burns down, but then I guess your home and contents insurance would kick in.
What is interesting is - should you be able to run your own OS on a console where the hardware is being loss lead on the purchase of games. Currently it would seem that Sony say yes, MS say no and I don't think that Nintendo have stated either way.
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Not the hardware
I think the problem is not the posession of the chip, or the installation of a chip into the console, both of which you would be allowed to do.
I think (rightly or wrongly) that the problem comes when you have a chip which allows you to subvert the console's copy protection, being openly marketed as a "backup device", or whatever. Does anyone really belive that these are used for backup?
Now, what I personally think is that if console manufacturers want a copy-protected console, they should replace the media that you have purchased if it stops working, within sensible limits. Obviously you'd have to return the media, not too usefull if your house burns down, but then I guess your home and contents insurance would kick in.
What is interesting is - should you be able to run your own OS on a console where the hardware is being loss lead on the purchase of games. Currently it would seem that Sony say yes, MS say no and I don't think that Nintendo have stated either way.