It looks like the Sony vs. GeoHot case has progressed a step further, but not in the hacker’s favour. A document filed by SCEA has detailed how GeoHot has tried to avoid handing over his PS3 for inspection, and how he has lied under oath regarding setting up a PSN account.
Ready for some reading?
“Though the evidence establishing personal jurisdiction is already overwhelming, SCEA has little doubt that there is much more. However, over the last several weeks. Hotz has engaged in a campaign to thwart jurisdictional discovery at every turn –regardless of whether the Court has ordered such discovery or not.
Most seriously, after Magistrate Judge Spero ordered an inspection of Hotz’s devices and ordered Hotz to appear at a deposition in California, SCEA learned that Hotz had deliberately removed integral components of his impounded hard drives prior to delivering them to a third party neutral and that Hotz is now in South America, an excuse for why he will not immediately provide the components of his hard drives as requested by the neutral. Hotz’s attempts to dodge this Court’s authority raise very serious questions.”
Then there is the case of his PSN account:
On January 12, 2011, Hotz submitted a declaration to the Court (Docket No. 19-1) in which he made unequivocal statements on a number of topics. However, when it came to discussing the PSN account, Hotz equivocated, stating: “To the best of my knowledge and belief, I do not have a PlayStation Network account.” Hotz also provided interrogatory responses that he has refused to verify, stating that he has not accessed the PSN. Bricker Decl. ¶4.Hotz identified four PS3 Systems in his possession.
Bricker Decl., ¶4, Exh. C. He explained that he had purchased one of these consoles new in February 2010 and provided the serial number for that console. Id. SCEA used that serial number to determine that on February 25, 2010, Hotz purchased the PS3 System at a Gamestop store just miles from his home. Law Decl., ¶6; Bricker Decl., ¶6, Exh. E. SCEA’s records show that the same PS3 System was used on March 10, 2010 to create a PSN account under the user name “blickmanic.” Law Decl., ¶6, Exh. A. The IP address associated with the registration is located in Glen Rock, New Jersey, where Hotz lives.
Hotz’s ownership of the “blickmanic” account is further supported by the fact that an Internet search of the user name “blickmanic” reveals a posting discussing the jailbreaking of cellular phones – Hotz’s original “claim to fame.” Bricker Decl., ¶7, Exh. F (“Just curious what people would pay for exclusive rights to this solution. [Motorola] Tracfone W175g unlocked and debranded. PM me.”) As discussed above, to create his PSN account, Hotz was required to first agree to the terms of the PSN User Agreement and thus he is clearly subject to personal jurisdiction in California. It is well established that a valid and enforceable forum selection clause operates as consent to personal jurisdiction in a designated forum.
The record is now clear that Hotz did in fact accept the terms of the PSN User Agreement, and thereby agreed to its forum selection clause.”
This is generally known as ‘being caught with your pants down’.
Source: VGHQ, Thanks Shogun Darius
DrNate86
So after his (rather excellent) rap, it appears his confidence is waning.
Boomshanks
It seems to me like Hotz is losing more and more ground. Sony are definitely serious about this one and they have taken great action so far. Certainly a good way to scare off potential hackers.
Also, I’d feel sorry for Hotz if he hadn’t been bragging about all of this so much. He seemed such a confident little prick who would take the big company down that I can’t feel sorry for him anymore.
Mathematicool
Doesn’t look like he’ll make it out of this case alive at this rate …
poorwretch
…and published by Sony Pictures probably.
leon
I would go and watch that
Darksidesystems
Sweet, sweet irony…
Lordfloyd
I like that part where he said “To the best of my knowledge and belief, I do not have a PlayStation Network account”, surely thats a yes or no answer.
Shit, must have signed up while I was sleepwalking, honest.
KeRaSh
What would happen if a friend accessed your PS3 to set up a PSN account. Just wondering if this would be a possible loophole for GeoHot to jump through. If it really was the case then he didn’t accept the Terms and Conditions and didn’t lie while under an oath.
a inferior race
I was thinking most of that statement was circumstantial and there wasn’t actually any proof of geohot doing anything with regards to the psn.
Paranoimia
Also flies in the face of the “didn’t do anything wrong” argument.
stonyk
Sounds like jail time coming his way. Lets hope it’s enough to scare others off from doing the same thing in future. There seems to be quite a lot of negativity generally from non-ps3 owners complaining with Sony’s aggression, but if it deters people from hacking ANY machine surely it is good for everyone (other than hackers)
Voolar
I think Sony’s approach is far more honest than Microsofts. MS bring the ban hammer either just before christmas or just before a new COD, and then gloat about the bump in console sales. Sony aren’t using the stiuation to their “advantage”, they’re just trying to close the loop holes.
Good on ’em…!
XisTG
For such a brilliant hacker, that guy can be quite stupid.
Ben
Agreed, couldn’t he have done all this anonymously?
Foxhound_Solid
Crush him into dust Sony!!
leon
Destory Him Sony he must be stoppped
Sympozium
My god its Vankar, quick run or we’ll be all destroyed!!
The Lone Steven
I hope Geohot likes being taken from behind by a stranger as he will most likely end up jail. Fleeing the country screams “i’m guilty so come catch me if you can”. I’m still surpised that none of the other companies have done this sooner. Such a shame as he is a intelligent lad who could get a high paid job testing the sercuity on high profile software programs. I wonder if Sony will get him to pay*puts little finger on mouth* one million dollars.:)
Geohot, say goodbye to your future and hello to jail or a job cleaning toilets.
Kled
Oh yeah! I concur.