Is it illegal to just own a JTAG/RGH Console? The answer to this highly asked question is no. Many people think that just because you are modifying your console, it makes it against the law. The fact is that they only way it can become illegal is if you make it illegal by involving piracy into the scene. Piracy is the unauthorized use of another's production, invention, or conception especially in infringement of a copyright. This includes Xbox Live arcade games, full Xbox 360 titles, and other forms of DLC. Another highly used way of piracy is backing up a game that you do not own. This includes backing up a game that your friend owns. It still is piracy even if your friend bought it because it is copyright. Almost all of the people looking to buy or are already using a JTAG system, most likely purchased that system with the idea in mind that they wanted free games or wanted to run Homebrew. This is one of the many reasons why JTAG systems are looked at as an illegal activity because of the fact that many of the people buying or making these systems, will copyright someones work.

As you saw in my introduction, the definition of piracy is the unauthorized use of another's production, invention, or conception especially in infringement of a copyright. Piracy is used around the world in many shapes and forms but one of the largest is "Getting things for free." This is one of the issues that comes along with JTAG systems. Full Games, arcade games, and lots of DLC can be downloaded for free and used on JTAG systems with no cost. So this means that you could never have to buy another $60 game at the store if you have a flashed DVD drive with your system. You can also run games straight off of an external hard drive with a JTAG system. Piracy is a huge concern around the world because you are taking someone else's work and using it without consent. But this is one of the biggest selling points of a JTAG console and if you are into piracy and copyright, it works on a JTAG/RGH. I DO NOT ENCOURAGE PIRACY AT ALL and this post is for educational purposes only.

Another reason people think JTAG consoles can be illegal is because of the fact that Microsoft almost automatically bans every JTAG that connects to XBL if used without Stealth. This happens because Microsoft does not like it when users can run unsigned code on their system and they also don't like the fact that people can get free games off of it. This is not because it is illegal to have it, Microsoft just doesn't want JTAG consoles to be easy to get online with. There is no way around getting on XBL with a JTAG without paying for it. Period.

Many people do not know that opening your Xbox 360 console will void your warranty if you have one. Once you tear off the seal or sticker of the console, your warranty is gone. If your modded system breaks down, it will not have any sort of warranty so do not expect to be able to send it in to Microsoft to get it repaired because if they see that it has been JTAGGED, you will not get the system back. This is one of the big downfalls of buying or JTAGGING a console on your own.

Homebrew is illegal because it is something that is not supposed to be used or assigned to use on the console. It is also illegal because it is not allowed to be run on the console either. And this is one of the big reasons why Microsoft bans users who connect to live on a JTAG system.

Most of the times when dealing with piracy, the law goes after the person that is giving out the free items, and most likely will not go after the downloaders of the item. This is because the law wants to try to lessen the number of items getting out to the public instead of trying to get the "one time" downloaders into trouble. And as i said before I DO NOT encourage piracy and this is for educational purposes only!

Is it illegal to own a JTAG/RGH?
NO

It is illegal to download free games?
YES

It is illegal if I run homebrew?
Most Likely

Is this post awesome?
YESSSSSSSSS!