Geohot Runs Away to South America

[InsaneNutter]

After the judge demanded George Hotz gives in his devices and hard drives, the PlayStation 3 hacker ran away to South America to avoid handing his possessions in and now has put his case in extreme jeopardy. The hacker also lied about having a PlayStation Network account. GeoHot has finally been caught out.

An official document (found here) filed by Sony from the Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC v. Hotz case recently detailed Hot’z recent actions. It said:

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.

The hacker also lied about having a 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.

Then, more evidence regarding his PSN account was discovered:

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.

Sony continued that even without his PSN account breach evidence, they already have enough evidence against him:

Although Hotz’s PSN account registration clearly establishes jurisdiction, even without it, SCEA has shown the necessary minimum contacts between Hotz and California.

Source

 

[BigRod989]

So since he ran looks like he wont be back dont really blame him though the charges for the crap sucks 5 years federal prison per hardware/pirated software, I just recently found out that the fed's have me in there system for pirated software (wish i could say I didn't) but im not doing the same as Hotz's

 

[Dark Scyth]

In a lame attempt to direct traffic to their pathetic websites, some sources are now reporting that Geohot has "fled" the country after court documents reveal a PSN account alleged to belong to him. Normally, we would not report on something so completely ridiculous but, unfortunately, this nonsense is starting to spread to mainstream websites.

Hotz is currently on vacation in a South American country. As common sense would dictate, there is no reason to "flee" from a civil case. These sites have based their claims on misinterpretations of the court documents and an image (see below) posted on Geohot's blog. Way to put two and two together, guys!

Source

I would have to say that this is more likely but the thing is where exactly did he get the money for this? I would have to say it was from the donations that he got for his lawsuit...this may not go over too well, in several ways.

 

[InsaneNutter]

I thought it sounded a bit far fetched, hence not front paging it. He can face no jail time from a civil case (i don't think) anyway so it would be stupid of him to flee.

His PS3 could well have been used on the PSN, but that doesn't prove its actually him who signed up, a family / friend could have easily done so.

 

[BigRod989]

lol everyone know hows the law's work here in the US possession is 9/10th of the law so it dont really matter who made the account or used it it matters who owns the Ps3. Its like getting arrested with a stolen gun it don't matter if its your's or not your the one with it

 

[Icharus_Falling]

... I just recently found out that the fed's have me in there system for pirated software (wish i could say I didn't) but im not doing the same as Hotz's

How did you find this out?

 

[BigRod989]

How did you find this out?

I have a friend who just had all his stuff stolen off his Laptop and PC over a network and he talked with the FBI because they had him bring the PC down (they had it for a week) to see who and how they did it and it was his Ex-wife and her computer geek friends and they told him they knew I personally set his computer up with a pirated copy of Windows 7 and showed log's from my ISP from when I set-up his computer (the MAC Address and my ISP from when doing the updating) and even back to when I downloaded it and from what sites I got the Torrent, they said they know about people doing that stuff all the time, they don't like to get into little things like that. But if you do really missed up things or a super crazy amount of data (also the type of data) they just kinda over look it