It would appear that Sony have got all hot and bothered about the DevHook software, which allows users to run a variety of PSP firmwares on their PSP, all from a basic 1.5 firmware setup.

Sony have gone down the Cease and Desist Order route to get one Japanese site to remove the DevHook from their website.

The main issue around the DevHook is that it can be used to load ISO images of backed up games on PSP’s running the software. Although the DevHook comes in a variety of flavours, some with ISO loading enabled and some without, its likely that Sony will attempt to enforce C&D orders on any site hosting the software.

The none-ISO version of the DevHook software allows those people who have bought newer PSP games (that require later firmware versions than currently installed on their PSP) to play the game without having to upgrade their PSP firmware. DevHook effectively emulates later firmware versions to allow the running of newer games.

I’m not personally convinced of the legality of any of the DevHook versions, whether its an ISO capable version or not. DevHook is using software created by Sony in a way it was not intended to be used, at least from an installation to flash memory point of view.

My advice – get DevHook while you can, because sooner or later it will probably be driven underground, where you’ll have to rely on bitTorrent to obtain it!