The ELSPA anti-piracy unit was hard at work once again as it found two more illegal video game traders at the Bradford Computer Fair. Over £100,000 in goods were seized by the joint operation conducted between the West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service (WYTSS) and West Yorkshire Police. This amount comes in the form of some 12,000 copied software and over 150 devices used for modding console systems More details regarding this in our full article.

The chipping and piracy operations of two men have been halted by the ELSPA. The two men, whose identities have not been released, were caught peddling a while-you-wait console chipping service while selling pre-chipped Nintendo Wii and pirated Microsoft Xbox 360 games. Details in the full article.

The Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association or ELSPA has been very active recently when it comes to raiding locations suspected of housing illegal video games-related activities.

QJ.NET just received a press release informing us about the most recent one. And what they found was a treasure trove, quite literally. See the complete details by clicking the "read more" link below.

The Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) sent in a press release informing QJ.NET about a successful court battle against businessman Neil Stanley Higgs known online as "Mr. Modchips".

He was charged in UK for distributing and selling the "illegal technology" that enables gamers play backup DVD and CD copies. The decision was granted a couple of days ago and charged Higgs of three counts of advertising, supplying, and selling modchips.

Aside from that, the businessman was also found guilty of 12 counts of possessing 19 chipped games consoles as well as 11 counts of possessing Executor and Viper GC modchips. Higgs argued that all the possessions in question found during one of ELSPA's investigations were owned by family members and friends.

Unfortunately for him, Judge Carole Hagen didn't believe his defense. Reports said that since starting business in 2002, Higgins has accumulated a total of one million GBP (US$ 2.05 million) in revenue. ELSPA Managing Director Michael Rawlinson said:

This case today sets a major precedent which marks a milestone in the fight against piracy, protecting the games industry's investment in fantastic games. It sends a clear message to anyone tempted to become involved in "chipping" consoles that this is a criminal offence and will be dealt in the strongest possible way.

Neil Stanley Higgs' attorneys filed for an appeal which the judge granted.