News.com is carrying a story today that says that Microsoft is looking to hire an engineer for collecting, evaluating and conducting analysis of modification chips used on the Xbox game console, suce as the X-ecuter. Apparently they want to use this technical information not only to help beef up the Xbox's security, but in a legal battle against Xbox hackers:

Microsoft has said it will pursue legal action against any hacking tools that infringe on its intellectual property and may use the upcoming online service for Xbox to spot hackers. Preference is given to those with...gaming hacking knowledge.

Both Microsoft and Sony allege that mod chips violate copyright, but recent rulings in Australia have not supported that charge.