Microsoft blocked access to Xbox Live about a million players around the world. The reason for this decision was the presumption that those users modified the their game consoles so that they can run on unlicensed copies of games, for example, downloaded from P2P networks.

Number of users, which blocked access to Xbox Live is according to various estimates, from 600 thousand. a million. "All customers should be aware that piracy is illegal and that modify the Xbox 360 violates the conditions of use on Xbox Live, the console will invalidate the warranty and cause the ejection of Xbox Live - Microsoft says in a statement. The health of the video game market depends on whether customers are paying for genuine products and services for manufacturers and distributors - argues the company from Redmond.

Information about blocked access to the service coincided with the release of highly anticipated by users of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Copies of the game appeared in the direct file-sharing networks even before the official introduction of its sales, which could motivate Microsoft to such a move and not the other (perhaps, in agreement with the publisher, CoD, Infinity Ward).

With Xbox Live, allowing the network game with other players, and buying games, enjoy total of more than 20 million people. Xbox 360 is equipped with the original DRM detection of the legality of the game is run on the device. Banned users can still use their consoles, if they do not connect to the Internet - logging into your account or playing on Xbox Live network will not be possible, however.

In Poland, altering console, ie. modding, is being prosecuted - by the police in fact violates Article. 287 of the Criminal Code: "Whoever, in order to achieve financial gain or to cause injury to another person, without authorization, affects the automatic processing, gathering or sending information or alter, delete or make a new recording medium for computer information is subject to imprisonment from 3 months to years 5 "