Yes Hacking and Stealing ARE the Same Thing.

Has anyone else heard any other poor excuses for hacking a PS3?

Let me address the first excuse by simply pointing out that hardware and software are two different things. Yes, you do own your PS3, but you do NOT own the software stored on it. Let me make this clearer. You are an END USER. Sony STILL owns XMB, even after you buy the PS3. You have no ownership of the PS3 software. So, to use the car analogy, you're not modding your car. You're installing a substandard and possibly dangerous engine assembled from stolen schematics by a guy who isn't even authorized to change your cars oil. As for the pirated games, I only have to say one thing. IP stands for INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. All you own is the disc. The code stored on the disc is Sony's property, or Activision's, or EA's, or Ubisoft's, or whoever published the IP.

"Unauthorized copying, reproduction, rental, public performance or broadcast of this game is a vioation of applicable laws." Find one game manual that doesn't have that on the back page. If you own a copy of Killzone 3 that you didn't pay for, or borrow from a friend, you stole it. If you modify the game code, you have infringed not only on the publisher's copyright, but also my right to enjoy a fair game.

So, in short, Sony has every right to ban anyone who uses custom firmware, backup managers, or pirated games. In all honesty, the banhammer is lenience on Sony's part. Sony would be well within their rights to file civil and criminal charges against anyone caught hacking their PS3 software.