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Microsoft recently closed down a website that specialised in selling illegal, modified Xbox 360 consoles. The owners of 360jtag.com confirmed in a statement that its website is no longer active since receiving a Cease and Desist letter from the company.

As if surprised, a comment from the owners of the site reads: "Closed until further notice, thanks to Microsoft. Visiting the website simply shows a copy of the legal document Microsoft had sent them.

The letter says; "It has come to Microsoft Corporation's attention that you are distributing Microsoft Xbox 360 consoles that have been modified to circumvent the built-in hardware and software security mechanisms. Microsoft demands that you immediately cease and desist from distributing all unauthorized Xbox consoles and from engaging in any activity that infringes Microsoft's copyrights and trademarks."

The company states that distributors of modded Xbox 360 consoles face a fine of $2,500 for each violation, with triple-damages owed for repeat offences. Wilful infringement - which Microsoft would have had a strong case for - would have cost the webmasters $150,000 for each copyrighted work infringed and up to $2million for a counterfeit trademark.

With the potential cost laid out, it makes sense that the webmasters of 360jtag.com decided to close up shop instead.

Microsoft has been cracking down on modified Xbox 360 consoles and pirated games as of late, with Gametag bans for those who have been understood to be playing torrented rips of the latest releases.

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