Users of illegal firmware and applications getting the boot.

Sony wasn't fooling around yesterday when it announced it would be taking action against PlayStation 3 owners using illegal hacking software and homebrew applications to play pirated games.

An IGN tipster forwarded us an e-mail from Sony yesterday night asking him to remove his software hacks from his console or he will be banned from PlayStation Network.-

"Consumers using circumvention devices or running unauthorized or pirated software will have access to the PlayStation Network and access to Qriocity services through PlayStation 3 system terminated permanently," a representative said in a statement given to IGN.

"Users can continue to use the PS3 system offline or use services that do not use PlayStation Network."

The letter in full has been posted below:

Notice: Unauthorized circumvention devices for the PlayStation 3 system have been recently released by hackers for the PlayStation 3 system. These devices permit the use of unauthorized or pirated software.

Use of such devices or software violates the terms of your "System Software License Agreement for the PlayStation 3 System" and the "Terms of Services and User Agreement" for the PlayStation Network/ Qriocity and its Community Code of Conduct provisions.

In addition, copying or playing pirated software is a violation of International Copyright Laws. A circumvention device and/or unauthorized or pirated software currently resides on your PlayStation 3 system. Immediately cease use and remove all circumvention devices and delete all unauthorized or pirated software from your PlayStation 3 system. Failure to do so will result in termination of your access to the PlayStation Network and access to Qriocity services through your PlayStation3 system.