Let me start off by saying that I will not go into detail on how to circumvent the security of consoles, so don't expect instructions on how to do so. Now, we all know that game backups/copies are a big topic in the video game industry. Every developer and console designer is looking into ways to lock down their hardware and software to keep these items from being able to be played.  As with each generation of console, there is another way to get around these security measures that have been put into place.  It has been a continuing cat and mouse game between modders and developers. The biggest concern for most of the software and hardware developers is to protect their intellectual property and to keep it from being stolen/used by people who have not purchased the original.  They have every right to protect their copyrighted material, but at what point does it become too much.

     From the modders standpoint, they believe since they have purchased the particular software, they have a right to be able to back it up, so that they can preserve and protect their purchase.  In theory, this is a perfectly legitimate idea.  In practice, it is a lot harder to pull off.  There is no way to differentiate from the people who own the items and others who just want to copy it and not pay for it all.  The latter group is what causes problems for everyone.  They want everything for free, which makes developers not able or want to fund new game development. 

     With the development of new laws in America, any device or program that circumvents copy protection can be viewed as breaking the DMCA. If you look at older copyrights on games and movies you were allowed to make a backup for your own personal use, but not able to distribute to other people.  Those have since been changed to reflect the current near zero-tolerance policy. Even the EULA's with software and games state that you do not own the software, just the right to use it, depending upon your interpretation.

     I personally feel that everyone should have the right to be able to have a backup of their games.  You shell out anywhere from $40-$60 a game on average, you really don't want to have to pay that same amount again if something were to happen to it on accident or even become unusable due to a defect in the hardware. There could be alternative options, a refurbishment program through the game publishers for a fee or through a warranty program.