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Modding is a slang expression for the act of modifying a piece of hardware or software to perform a function not intended or authorized by the original manufacturer. A common example is video game console mod chips, which can allow users to play games legitimately purchased in other regions or legal backup copies, but can also allow illegal unauthorized copies by allowing the player to play "burnt" video games.
Some nations have laws prohibiting modding and accuse modders of attempting to overcome copy prevention schemes. In the United States, the DMCA has set up stiff penalties for modding involving such circumvention.
On the other side, some companies actively encouraging modding of their products. In cases such as TiVo and Google, there has been an informal agreement between the modders and the company in which the modders agree not to do anything that destroys the companies business model and the company agrees to support the modding community by providing technical specifications and information. Some commercial video games thrive through a modding community. In the case of Half-Life, a mod called Counter-Strike drove sales of the original software for years.
Overclocking may also be termed as 'modding', and the overclocking of a graphics card using driver software to gain the performance of a more expensive model is known as 'soft-modding'.
The term may also refer to the artistic modification of hardware for purely aesthetic reasons (especially computer cases). Modding in this sense is purely a creative act and is normally quite legal (although it may void your warranty or violate electromagnetic emission regulations). An example of this kind of modding may involve re-painting a case, cutting a hole in the side panel and installing a clear window so that the components are visible from outside. Some view this practice negatively as 'ricing up' a computer.
Orthopedic modding is the car adaption (seats, pedals...) to help drivers to correct and diminish light orthopedic and backbone/spine problems.
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