The argument against mod chips just doesn't hold water
http://arstechnica.com/journals/thumbs.ars/2006/08/01/4835
"The only real argument is against piracy, but I know many people who mod their systems for legitimate purposes."
Modder faces jail time after raid turns up counterfeit games, mod chips
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070626-modder-faces-jail-time-after-raid-turns-up-counterfeit-games-mod-chips.html
"Despite the hate from the ESA and console manufacturers, many gamers are big fans of mod chips, but not because of the piracy angle"