If this is true then it is almost a WIN for Sony! Reports are coming that PlayStation 3 hacker George Hotz (aka Geohot) has run away to South America from his New Jersey home in an attempt to escape Sony over hacking their game console. The hacker also lied about under oath having a PlayStation Network (PSN) account during legal proceedings with the company. Even the popular legal website Groklaw mentioned the possibility of GeoHot having a PSN account.

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.

Additionally, Sony said:

When SCEA echoed TIG’s request that the components of the hard drives be delivered immediately, Hotz’s counsel responded that Hotz was in South America.

The hacker also lied about having a PSN account under the oath:

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.

It’s still unclear if he is on vacation (not allowed in civil case) or intentionally fled to South America. As always, we will bring you latest updates on Geohot Vs Sony Legal case. Just follow us on Twitter and become a Facebook fan. You may also like to check out:

• Android Hacker ‘Koush’ Rejects Job Offer in Sony for Fellow GeoHot
• Sony Wins Access to PlayStation 3 Hacker Geohot’s PayPal Account
• Sony Wins Subpoenas to Unmask Visitors to Geohot’s Blog, YouTube Channel

Source: VGHQ

Apparently Sony is recruiting hackers to work in the company, and recently Sarah McRae (Recruiter, Sony PlayStation, SCEA) contacted Android OS hacker Koushik Datta (aka koush) for a position to work with R&D team. Do you want to know, what was his reply?

Click the Image for Full Resolution

I appreciate that I have been contacted. The opportunity sounds very interesting! However, given Sony’s recent treatment of a fellow hacker George Hotz (@ geohot), could not work with a clear conscience at Sony “

Even Geohot himself warned on his blog that Sony might not get the right programmers in future. Perhaps the Japanese company seems to be struggling to get talent in this sector now.

But talented developers are in much shorter supply, and take it from one personally, who you choose to code for is much more of a moral choice. The programmers you will one day be looking to hire are the ones reading the tech news sites right now. And they will remember. Via Geohot

[Update 1]: Koush seems to stick with Android OS rather than moving to PS3. He commented,

To clear up any confusion, I was not offered a job, just an interview, which I declined out of principle. For those saying “I’m going to regret being principled”, etc. Probably not. Android App sales have been more than good to me. Good, enterprising, devs should never find themselves short of opportunities.

As always, we’ll update you in case there were further developments on this story. Just follow us on twitter or join our facebook fanpage. You may also like to check out more:

• Sony begins Banning PS3 Jailbreakers and Pirates in Europe and US
• Sony Wins Subpoenas to Unmask Visitors to Geohot’s Blog, YouTube Channel
• Sony Developing Hack-Proof PlayStation 3 / PS3 SKU?

Apparently Sony is recruiting hackers to work in the company, and recently Sarah McRae (Recruiter, Sony PlayStation, SCEA) contacted Android OS hacker Koushik Datta (aka koush) for a position to work with R&D team. Do you want to know, what was his reply?

Click the Image for Full Resolution

I appreciate that I have been contacted. The opportunity sounds very interesting! However, given Sony’s recent treatment of a fellow hacker George Hotz (@ geohot), could not work with a clear conscience at Sony “

Even Geohot himself warned on his blog that Sony might not get the right programmers in future. Perhaps the Japanese company seems to be struggling to get talent in this sector now.

But talented developers are in much shorter supply, and take it from one personally, who you choose to code for is much more of a moral choice. The programmers you will one day be looking to hire are the ones reading the tech news sites right now. And they will remember. Via Geohot

[Update 1]: Koush seems to stick with Android OS rather than moving to PS3. He commented,

To clear up any confusion, I was not offered a job, just an interview, which I declined out of principle. For those saying “I’m going to regret being principled”, etc. Probably not. Android App sales have been more than good to me. Good, enterprising, devs should never find themselves short of opportunities.

As always, we’ll update you in case there were further developments on this story. Just follow us on twitter or join our facebook fanpage. You may also like to check out more:

• Sony begins Banning PS3 Jailbreakers and Pirates in Europe and US
• Sony Wins Subpoenas to Unmask Visitors to Geohot’s Blog, YouTube Channel
• Sony Developing Hack-Proof PlayStation 3 / PS3 SKU?