A new PS3 wouldn't do anything because it is online. If they did ban him "forever" they could've just banned that account, or they could've banned his IP. If they banned his IP, nothing you can do. If just his account, then just make a new one. To tell if it is just account, and if you can make a new account and get online, you're fine. If not, get an xBox LOL. You could probably write sony and see if they'd reverse the IP ban but yea IP ban is bad. I'm not sure but you may be able to fake an IP too.