Sony modified the hardware and bios of the psx ps2 and ps3 numerous times. I think they should realize by now that nothing they do will stop the hackers. pissing off (on) your loyal customers is not the way to go especially since it won't have the effect you want anyway.
Nintendo has done the same thing with the wii updates. They release an update, the hackers find a way around. I don't really mind since I only install the upgrades I have to, but it still doesn't make any sense.
How many of us have had software for our amiga that is on a dying disk and the only way to copy the disk is a hack, since the publisher didn't provide a way and copy protection prevents the os.
This crap has been going on for a long time.